In the fall of 2014, the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) and the United Union of Roofers and Waterproofers & Allied Workers, working with CPWR, established the Roofing r2p Partnership to work toward the shared goal of eliminating job-related injuries and illnesses in the roofing  industry. These partners represent a broad cross-section of the industry and representatives from both participate in national and local industry committees.

The Partnership’s work has led to:

• The RF Radiation Awareness Program for the Construction Industry. Concerns raised by the Partnership about the potential risks associated with exposure to radiofrequency (RF) radiation generated by antennas and other devices on roof tops and sides of structures where roofing and other construction work is performed led to the establishment of a  multi-trade, labor-management RF Radiation Work Group and the development of this program.  The program is tailored for use by employers, trainers, and workers, and designed to raise awareness of the potential risks and steps to work safely.
• The Safety Climate Assessment Tool for Small Contractors (S-CAT^SC). This tool was developed by the Partnership, in coordination with CPWR’s Safety Culture/Climate project, to help small construction  employers and their employees assess and improve their jobsite safety climate. Employer and employee S-CAT^SC responses shared with CPWR are being compiled to identify and develop materials and resources  small construction contractors in the roofing industry and other segments of the construction industry can use to strengthen their company’s safety climate.
• Safe Ladder Practices in Roofing.  Falls are a leading cause of injury and death. This video was developed by the Partnership to focus attention on ladder safety during roofing work and show how the free National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) ladder safety app can help. This video is also available in Spanish.

CPWR’s work with this Partnership is informing the construction industry’s understanding of the role of partnerships in advancing research to practice and lessons learned will be incorporated into the Construction Research to Practice (r2p) Partnership Toolkit.