b'Presidents Message OIRCABoard of DirectorsPresident Tony Pocobene Atlantic Roofers Ontario Ltd.I DidntFirst Vice President Doug Maikawa Trio Roofing Systems Inc.Past President Mark Mollison Conestoga Roofing & Sheet Metal Ltd.Treasurer Peter Serino Want toSoprema Inc.Director John Petrachek Atlas-Apex RoofingDirector Ian Moriarty Carlisle SynTecDirector Write AboutJoel Dandele Dantech Building Technologies Inc.Director Darcy Beites Douro Roofing & Sheet Metal Contractors Ltd.Director COVID-19,Mark Agius Flynn Canada Ltd.Director Stephen Patti Flynn Canada Ltd.Director Ron Foran Forans Roofing & Sheetmetal Ltd.but By Tony Pocobene, President, OIRCA ONTARIODirector Jeff Roy French Brothers Roofing (Belleville) Inc.Director Mike Godfrey Godfrey Roofing Inc.ROOFING NEWS is a market-ing and information periodical published for the Ontario Industrial Roofing Contractors Association by MediaEdge Publishing. Advertising in ONTARIO ROOFING NEWSis restricted to the member companies of OIRCA.A s I sit down to write this issues column, we are experiencingexisting building, likely empty due to the pandemic, seems safe byPublished for:unprecedented times. I am of course referring to the COVID-19comparison. Of course, the building owner must provide permission pandemic. Its near the end of March, so I dont know whetherto access the roof, but they will most likely recognize this as ideal tim-we are at the start, middle orwell, Im sure we are not near the ending to get the work done. Ontario Industrial Roofing Contractors Association940 The East Mall, Suite 301of this global crisis. Still, there are the workers to think about. Can a roof be installedEtobicoke, ON l M9B 6J7I wasnt going to write about the virus because, as you read this,while maintaining a two-meter distance between roofers? What aboutTel: (416) 695-4114 l Toll Free: 1 (888) 33-OIRCAperhaps the pandemic has ended, or there have been so many devel- oirca@ontarioroofing.comthe sharing of tools? The logistics have presented a challenge to roofingwww.ontarioroofing.comopments since that my words may seem redundant. The problem is Icompanies. Finally, are crew members prepared to work in this envi- Published by:cant seem to focus on anything else that is relevant. To speak to youronment? Some will, but others wont. about the roofing industry at such a time almost seems petty when soI think most of my colleagues would agree that roofing is an essen-much COVID information surrounds us. tial service, certainly from the viewpoint of service work or leak calls.33 South Station St. l North York, ON l M9N 2B2That said, the Ontario government recently declared constructionJust imagine a leaky roof on a hospital or other important facility. OrTel: (866) 480-4717 l Email: robertt@mediaedge.caan essential service. This announcement has been a rather controver- on any building, even a house, for that matter. If you have a leak, there531 Marion St. l Winnipeg, MB l R2J 0J9sial one, as many in the industry who had originally called for ourTel: (866) 201-3096 l Fax: (204) 480-4420sector to stay open are now asking for a shutdown. Workers themselvesis potential for mold developmentanother health hazard. www.mediaedgepublishing.comRoofing is not the only trade where service work is a big part of theirPresident have expressed concerns about the conditions they find themselves inactivity. Electrical, HVAC and plumbing are just a few examples of ser- Kevin Brownwhile working on construction sites. Senior Vice President l Publisher Many of us working in the roofing industry have a slightly differentvices critical to our way of life. Without them, our lives would be dire. Robert ThompsonI wont be surprised if, in the coming days or weeks, the provincialDirector, Business Development perspective on the matter. Roofing contractors are rather fortunate asMichael Bellour trade is not totally dependent on the new construction sector. Ingovernment decides that construction is not an essential service and, atBranch Manager fact, most OIRCA members probably reroof more than they installminimum, shuts down new construction sites. I also wont be shockedNancie PrivEditor roofs on new buildings. if roofers tell their employers, We just dont feel safe working on theJustyne EsseryNew construction sites are, without question, more dangerous fromroof. We want to go home. I, for one, have collaborated with all myGraphic Designer employees and we jointly decided it was in the best interest of everyoneMarisa Giesbrechta virus standpoint. Hundreds of workers working in close proximitySales Executive to each otheroften sharing tools and equipmentcant practiceto shut down normal business operations for a minimum of two weeks.Pat Johnstonsocial distancing. Often these sites dont even provide conditions thatI didnt want to write about the COVID-19 virus in this column,All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, meet the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Construction Regu- but the subject dominates my mind these days. Yes, I worry about mywithout the prior consent of the publisher. lations; for example, they dont have adequate hand-washing facili- business, but I am also concerned for my family, my employees, theirPublished April 2020ties. Of course, installing roofing on one of these projects exposes ourfamilies, friends, colleagues and everyone else in the world. Hopefully,Publication Agreement #40787580workers to the same conditions concerning other trades. as you read this, our world will be starting to return to some normalcy.Ontario Roofing News is printed on 10%post-consumer FSC certified paper using soyaReroofing a building, in my opinion, is not nearly as hazardousI know one thing that will not change moving forward: the saying,based inks. When necessary to mail an issuein an enclosure, we use an environmentally-as installing a new roof. A six- or eight-person crew working on anStay safe and be sure to wash your hands. friendly,100% oxo-degradable poly-wrap.6ONTARIO ROOFING NEWSISSUE 1 2020 THE ONLY SOURCE FOR PROFESSIONAL ICI ROOFING CONTRACTORS IN ONTARIO ORN'