Worker fatigue can lead to safety risks
Long shifts, overtime, heat, repetitive tasks and inadequate recovery time can cause physical and mental strain and raise risk of injury because of slower reaction times, decreased situational awareness and impaired judgment, according to Construction Executive. This can lead to accidents that affect the safety of fatigued workers and their co-workers. It also can result in costly rework, wasted labor and materials and schedule delays.
Construction Executive shares the following ways companies can address worker fatigue:
Apply job-site intervention. On-site occupational health professionals can conduct ergonomic assessments, coach proper body mechanics and safe material handling, and lead warmups before shifts to improve flexibility and comfort.
Deliver targeted care. Episodic health services offer flexible, targeted services for companies that only require support for seasonal or project-specific risks. The services can be provided once or on a recurring basis to address specific occupational illness and inquiries.
Measure impact and demonstrate value. Measurable outcomes can include tracking recordable injuries and near-misses; monitoring reductions in days off through better prevention and quicker recoveries; analyzing schedule adherence and rework rates for reductions in fatigue-related errors; and evaluating rates of winning bids on safety-sensitive projects linked to enhanced safety metrics.
Use data to take action. Occupational health experts can help create a fatigue management strategy by using injury data. Strategies could include analyzing injury and near-miss data for fatigue-related patterns; reviewing schedules and overtime to identify high-risk rotations; surveying workers and screening for sleep and fatigue issues; and adding fatigue-related questions to injury evaluations.
Roofing Alliance accepting MVP Awards entries
The Roofing Alliance is accepting entries for its Most Valuable Player Awards program. The deadline for entries is Sept. 14.
Nominations are based on significant contributions in two categories: outstanding performance and leadership and outstanding community involvement. Each category is judged separately, and individuals can be nominated for one or both categories.
MVP Awards are eligible for workers employed by a Roofing Alliance or NRCA member. From roofing contractor firms, any roofing field worker, foreman or superintendent can be nominated. From distributor firms, any warehouse employee, warehouse foreman, driver or equipment operator can be nominated.
MVP Awards winners receive two complimentary coach airfare tickets and three nights’ hotel accommodations during NRCA’s 140th Annual Convention Feb. 16-18, 2027, in Las Vegas. Each winner also receives two complimentary SuperPass registrations to the 2027 International Roofing Expo,® two complimentary tickets to the NRCA Industry Awards and Reception and a $100 American Express gift card. Winners are formally recognized during the NRCA Industry Awards and Reception Feb. 17, 2027, in Las Vegas.
One winner will be chosen as Professional Roofing’s Best of the Best Award winner. Co-sponsored by Professional Roofing and OMG Roofing Products Inc., Agawam, Mass., the recognition includes a prize and a feature article in Professional Roofing.
For more information, visit roofingalliance.net or email Abby Nelson, Roofing Alliance programs manager, at anelson@nrca.net.
Gold Circle Awards call for entries
The Gold Circle Awards program recognizes NRCA members for outstanding contributions to the roofing industry. Unique roofing-related projects (commercial or residential), programs and services are eligible to be entered in one of the following categories: outstanding workmanship, innovative solutions, artisan workmanship and wall panels and façades.
Outstanding workmanship applies to steep-slope and low-slope projects that exceed standard roofing practices. This category includes all roof systems, including metal roofing projects.
Innovative solutions applies to a smart or unique solution to a problem, an environmentally friendly project, a unique software program/service specific to the roofing industry or innovative equipment specifically designed for the roofing industry.
Artisan workmanship is a new category that applies to the highly-skilled, detail-oriented craft of working with roofing materials, such as copper, by hand. This includes the design and installation of original, one-of-a-kind materials as well as the reproduction of historical details, emphasizing aesthetic appeal and functionality.
Wall panels and façades is also a new category that applies to wall panels, cladding and façade systems and the complexity of installing a combination of specific materials and integrating multiple components.
Gold Circle Awards winners receive:
- Formal recognition during the NRCA Industry Awards and Reception held during NRCA’s Annual Convention and the 2027 International Roofing Expo,® Feb. 16-18
- A Gold Circle Awards trophy
- Recognition in Professional Roofing magazine
- Press releases notifying industry trade press and local media
Projects submitted must have been completed by NRCA members between June 1, 2024, and May 31, 2026. One submission per category per company is allowed. The submission deadline is Friday, Sept. 18, 2026.
Visit nrca.net/NRCA-awards/gold-circle-awards for more information or contact Chrystine Hanus, an NRCA director of communications, at chanus@nrca.net.
