Protecting roofers and strengthening the trade

By Emma Peterson. 

A look at how NFRC is driving higher standards across the industry through a variety of campaigns and partnerships.  

With a legacy that dates back to 1892 and a membership that includes over 1,500 roofing companies, National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) is one of the largest roofing trade associations in the U.K., and they do not take the importance of their influence lightly. NFRC is dedicated to raising standards and professionalising their members as to better the broader roofing sector. They do this in many ways, including running internal education campaigns and partnering with other organisations to support their initiatives.  

NFRC campaigns 

• Safe2Torch: Across the U.K., 50% of flat roofs are installed with gas torches. And unfortunately, with the use of gas torches comes risks and safety concerns. Launched in July of 2017, this campaign aims to “significantly reduce the risk of roof fires when using gas torches, either to dry out roofs or when used to install torch-on membranes.” 
• Cut the Dust: Cutting roof tiles releases a dust called respirable crystalline silica (RCS) that has been linked to serious medical conditions like lung cancer, silicosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This campaign aims to raise awareness of this issue and to champion solutions such as water suppression, RPE and other respiratory safety practices.  
• Blue Roofs Guidance: NFRC has released a technical guide with the goal of helping specifiers, designers and installers build effective Blue Roofs (roofs that offer elevated control of rain fall during heavy storm events). Not only does this type of design help protect the roof itself, but it also relieves stress on sewer waterways and keeps river ecosystems cleaner.  
• Don't Fall for Fragile: This is the NFRC’s newest campaign and it aims to raise awareness of fragile roof risks. In general, the roofing industry has made leaps and bounds in preventing falls from heights. The next step is to reduce the number of fragile roof injuries by identifying issues early, planning work accordingly and avoiding unsafe shortcuts.  

Collaborations with other organisations 

• Bat Awareness for the Roofing Industry: This partnership between NFRC and Bat Conservation Trust focuses on improving awareness and understanding of bat protection in the built environment. Through the program, roofing professionals are offered practical guidance for working in areas where bats or bat roosts may be present and education related to the importance of balancing essential roofing work with biodiversity considerations.  
• Breathe Freely: This campaign is led by the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) and aims to reduce occupationally caused lung disease in the U.K. NFRC has partnered with them in this campaign as it directly impacts their members, “In 2015, approximately 3,500 [construction workers] died from cancer caused by past exposures to asbestos, 500 more from silica dust and 5,500 were diagnosed with occupational cancer.” 
• Building People: This organisation, which is endorsed by the Construction Leadership Council, helps connect employers with “the UK’s most diverse built environment talent pipeline.” Not only does this make it easier for jobseekers to start building careers, but it also helps widen talent pools and develop a more diverse workforce.  
• Driving for Better Business: For this campaign, NFRC is partnering with National Highways and their Driving for Better Business (DfBB) programme to connect professionals with resources to help them reduce “work-related road risk, control the associated costs, and improve compliance with current legislation and guidance.” 
• Mates In Mind: This campaign, established by the Health in Construction Leadership Group (HCLG), focuses on giving workers in the U.K. with mental support. This is a crucial issue, as research suggests that 350,000 people in construction are suffering from depression, anxiety or stress at any one time. NFRC is not only backing this campaign, but they are also a member of the HCLG and actively helping HCLG work towards their goal of eradicating ill health and disease caused by worksite exposure. 
• No Time to Lose: IOSH, the chartered body for health and safety professionals, runs this campaign to raise awareness and support change in relation to carcinogenic exposure. NFRC has pledged their support and are actively working to help their members and others in the roofing sector raise awareness and take action.  

Learn more about NFRC and the ways they support and uplift the roofing trade through campaigns.