Many people wonder why the government who claim to be “hands off” tend to put their hands in a variety of different affairs around the country.  Much of the reason for their intrusion is actually to protect people.  Take away the government intervention and would our industry be worse?  In fact, the government often intrudes in the roofing industry to ensure that we are all better off…..Well, let’s say, “Safer.”

Regulations

The government often regulates in the roofing industry to ensure that everything is built properly and safer.  If there are no regulations in place, there might be a chance that you could end up with a roof that endangers someone’s safety, especially yours.  Thanks to regulations from the government, there are standards that contractors have to follow when they build and repair roofs.  These standards protect building owners and will inevitably promote good building practices.  For more information on standards and codes for the roofing industry, Google “ICC building standards,” and follow the links for standards on construction, materials and codes used in building.

Much is said about how liberty is lost in the interest of Safety and Protection.  A quick look at Homeland Security speaks volumes about the subject and how freedoms are forfeited in the interest of safety.  Have you taken a trip on a plane lately?  Remember the 10 min check in and security check of the past? There must be a balance to assure our freedoms are not eroded away, leaving us with a book full of rules and regulations making it virtually impossible to build a chicken coop let alone a home or building without some government agency ready to slap the hand of an unknowing contractor for overlooking something minor.

Tax Credits

Next, the government has actually intervened in the roofing industry offering tax credits to those that install energy efficient roofs including “Cool-Roofs.”  These energy efficient roofs, sometimes including solar energy, are a valuable form of renewable energy that will last for many years.  It can be rewarding investing in a “Cool-Roof” or Solar PV system, especially when a building owner can receive a tax credit or in some cases cash back from the government as rebates or energy buy back programs, (Local, State and Federal).

OSHA

The government is obviously involved in the Occupational Health and Safety Administration.  This organization helps to ensure that Americans are safe on the job.  Some would consider that working as a roofer is not what one would classify as a safe job.  However, the government has standards in place to protect contractors and help make sure they are safe while they work.  These standards were implemented back in 1970 by Richard M. Nixon and many workers have benefited from them despite much criticism to the contrary.  OSHA has made news recently as they have,”Grown their business” by increasing the number of inspections to jobsites in 2010 and levying record numbers of fines on contractors in an economy that was down in every area of construction from new construction to commercial building. In 2011 OSHA backed off from the number of visits to jobsites yet increased their revenue by increasing the amount of revenue per visit, levying multiple fines per visit.  Wow, fewer visits, less manpower required, yet more private sector money from your business into the government coffers.

Marc Dodson’s Jan and Nov 2011 editorials in Western Roofing magazine articulate the facts and ask the question: Why are OSHA fines and revenues at record levels while the number of projects being completed nationally are dramatically down.  Hmmmmm?

Click here->http://www.westernroofing.net/0111/edit.pdf

Click Here->http://www.westernroofing.net/1111/edit.pdf

As voters, it is our responsibility to, “Regulate the Regulators,”  Is the cash strapped government on the warpath to generate revenue while squeezing anywhere they can to fill government coffers?

At this point in history as we continue to be spectators of egregious overspending and waste in government, one may jump to the conclusion that  government regulation is overreaching and not justified.  The flipside to this conversation is there are positive aspects of regulations in the roofing industry and many do help protect people from harm.

I will continue this discussion in Part 2 discussing other government regulations and touching on the effects of environmental regulations in the roofing industry.

Please comment on our Facebook business page: Facebook.com/TheRoofingHub

All the best,

Tony Chalupnik

PS – Sharkskin Comp is the State-of-the-art underlayment that will SAVE  you money and INCREASE production on your Shingle and Metal Roofing Projects.

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