b'FEATUREREDUCING RISKSafety in roof designW orkrelatedinjuries(WRI)Manitoba, falls from heights were a majorIt should be recognized that there has in which workers submittedcauseofthe58constructionfatalitiesbeen an escalation in rooftop activity and, losttimeclaimshavethatoccurredbetween2010and2018.consequently,rooftrafficduetotheir decreasedsince2009.TheInfrastructureHealthandSafetyuseasplatformsforphotovoltaicsand The decline is largely attributable to theAssociationofOntariocites fallsfromotherenergy-producingequipment,the effortsofemployersandemployees,heights as a major cause of injuries andintegrationofdaylightingwithroofing, incollaborationwithgovernments,tofatalities in the workforce. construction of vegetative and reflective increase awareness in the areas of work- Inalljurisdictions,theemployerisroofing systems and the use of roofs as placehealthandsafetyprovidesafetyresponsiblefordevelopingandimple- amenity spaces. These and other innova-trainingandeducation,andstringentmentingfallprotectionprogramsthattions in roof construction have generally occupational health and safety regulation.comply with mandated regulations. Lawsresulted in more frequent access to the However,constructionremainsarela- requireemployeestoworksafelyandroof by workers, maintenance personnel tively dangerous activity, accounting forcooperate with the employer by followingandbuildingoccupantsand,conse-the most fatalities by industry in Canadathe health and safety rules specific to thequently, an increase in the risk of falls in 2018. A considerable number of thesejob. Although under current regulationsfrom heights.accidents involve falls from heights. roofdesignersarenotaccountableforJudiciousdesigncanmitigatethese WorksafeBC has reported the highestfallprotection,theCanadianRoofingriskswithoutnecessarilyincreasing amountofinjuryclaimsin2018wereContractorsAssociationbelievesthataconstruction costs. This can be accom-in the construction industry. Accordingroofs design features can impact the riskplished in a variety of ways. Firstly, the to the Workers Compensation Board ofof falls and resultant injury. roofshouldbedesignedsothatroof 16lROOFINGBC l SPRING 2020'