National Women in Roofing September Letter from the Chair:  Staying Safe on the Job

By Shari Carlozzi.

In my new role as Safety Solutions Director with Tremco, I am constantly aware of the risks we take daily to fulfill a job well done.

Attention to detail has never had so great an impact on any career as it does in the roofing industry.  We take great care to lead with safety and promote diligence and accountability for not only ourselves, but those with whom we work…it’s what brings us home at the end of the day.

So, as a woman, what does safety mean to you? Perhaps we should look at safety from a more diverse range of perspectives:

Suiting up for safety.  I cannot tell you how many times I and so many of my female roofing colleagues have tried on safety harnesses only to find that they come nowhere close to fitting us for proper protection, let alone comfort.  I have yet to see or find a harness designed to “fit” the needs of women, but let’s keep our fingers crossed, I hear that there is a company who is focused on fitting the needs of women in fall harness development.

Traveling for business.  Do you know that little voice that sends a chill up your spine when you’re walking down a hotel hallway or climbing into a cab or Uber late at night?  Listen to it.  It’s your good sense talking to you.  Plan your itinerary for earlier arrivals and coordinate or share rides with a colleague when you can.  Take the hotel shuttle bus to your hotel, and if you must, double check your cab/Uber driver’s ID when you get into the car.  Turn on your maps app to your destination to make sure you are heading in the right direction. And by all means, if it doesn’t feel right, make other arrangements.  Once you arrive at your hotel, ask for a room that is close to the elevator for easy entry and departure from your room.

Roadside assistance is a great service, either through AAA services or through your auto insurance agent.  Check your auto insurance, you may be surprised to learn that many insurance companies provide roadside assistance in your policy.

Let’s make safety your #1 priority on the rooftop and as well as in your daily business routines.  Use your attention to detail to be aware of your surroundings.  Our world is changing and we need to adapt. Your safety means the world to me, so keep safety in your daily routine…on the roof and on the road.  I’ll keep looking for a great safety harness designed for women’s comfort and security. If you find one, please share it with the rest of us!

All my best to you,

Shari

Learn more about NWIR at www.nationalwomeninroofing.org.