By Jesse Sanchez. 

Stay informed on construction safety policy developments shaping contractor responsibility nationwide. 

If you work on complex construction projects, shared worksites are routine and regulatory clarity matters. For organizations like the Utah Roofing Contractors Association (URCA), which represents contractors operating in multi-employer environments, understanding OSHA enforcement is critical. A recent white paper from the National Construction Policy Institute examines how OSHA’s multi-employer citation doctrine affects contractors alongside other trades. 

Here is a breakdown of the key findings and proposals outlined in Rethinking OSHA’s Multi-Employer Citation Doctrine, authored by Trent Cotney and featured in a recent Cotney Brief. 

1 – How the doctrine evolved 

Under current enforcement by Occupational Safety and Health Administration, citations may be issued to employers who neither created nor directly exposed workers to hazards. The paper traces how this approach developed through court and agency decisions and explains how uneven application has distorted contractor relationships, inflated insurance costs and introduced tension among project participants trying to coordinate safety responsibly. 

What this means for contractors: Uncertainty over liability can discourage proactive safety involvement and complicate coordination on multi-employer jobsites. 

2 – The core reform principle 

According to the brief, “The goal is straightforward: promote safety through collaboration, not confusion. By aligning accountability with actual control, contractors can focus on preventing injuries instead of defending against arbitrary citations.” That focus drives proposed reforms that preserve accountability while aligning responsibility with actual jobsite control rather than mere presence. 

What this means for contractors: Responsibility would better reflect who can realistically identify and correct hazards. 

3 – Safe harbors and graduated citations 

The proposal outlines safe-harbor protections that allow general contractors to provide training, PPE and safety technologies without automatically becoming controlling employers. Graduated citation levels would reflect an employer’s true ability to address hazards, while data-driven safety partnerships would reward documented cooperation and continuous improvement. 

What this means for contractors: Investing in safety support would be encouraged, not penalized. 

4 – Pathways for implementation 

Near-term OSHA rulemaking under Part 1926 could clarify enforcement expectations. Longer-term legislative action could harmonize state plan programs, codify fair standards and embed due process protections. 

What this means for contractors: Clearer rules would support safer jobsites and more predictable compliance outcomes. 

Read Trent's full Cotney Brief and check out his other briefs online!

By Emma Peterson. 

Roofing associations nationwide are sharing their time and resources to support their communities and the future of the industry. 

Whether you are shopping for gifts, trying to get together with family or just wrapping up loose ends from 2025, the winter holiday season is a busy time. But we wanted to take a moment to pause and highlight how some people are giving back during this busy time. In no particular order, here are six stories of industry associations coming together this December to build up their communities by giving back. 

1 – Arizona Roofing Contractor Association (ARCA) 

The ARCA closed out their year of giving with their annual holiday party on December 10, 2025. The party, which was hosted at Fate Brewery from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., was in support of their Roofers Giving Back initiatives. These initiatives benefit: 

• Home of Hope: The ARCA Young Professionals group is gathering unwrapped gifts or monetary donations to purchase gifts this December for children at Home of Hope! 
• Youth On Their Own: The Tucson Bowling Committee is spending the month collecting non-perishable food items for the Youth On Their Own organization. 
• AZ Cancer Foundation: And Arizona Women in Roofing is collecting donations to support their efforts to purchase toys for the children at the AZ Cancer Foundation.  

If you want to donate to any of these causes, visit azroofing.org. For more information, call 602-335-0133. 

2 – Metal Roofing Contractors Association (MRCA) 

Interested in advancing education, research and the future of the roofing industry? Consider supporting the MRCA Foundation! This foundation was created to raise awareness and improve the roofing industry by “supporting educational programming, industry research and industry-related academic scholarships.” 

Learn more about the foundation and donate to support their work! 

3 – The Associated Roofing Contractors of Oregon and SW Washington (ARC) 

This was the third year that the ARC gathered for a Christmas Dinner and Auction! Hosted on December 6 at the Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel, this night was not only a fun gathering but a fundraiser for Fort Kennedy.  

Fort Kennedy is a nonprofit that provides food, clothing and other essential resources to homeless and low-income veterans in Oregon and Washington. Their mission is simple, “To enable all veterans to move forward in their lives after military service [by providing] transitional housing and shelter, ensure access to employment, family counseling and benefits.” 

Learn more about ARCOSWW and about Fort Kennedy.  

4 – Utah Roofing Contractors Association (URCA) 

A few states over, URCA also hosted a holiday party on December 5. Held at the PierPont Place, it was a casino royale themed party complete with blackjack, delicious food and a dazzling raffle. And like the other associations we’ve been highlighting, it was all for a good cause! URCA’s 2025 holiday party supported JustaBreak.org, a Utah-based nonprofit that gives cancer patients and caregivers joyful getaways to help bring them joy during their treatments.  

Learn more about URCA and learn more about JustaBreak.org. 

5 – International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC) 

For 2025 Giving Tuesday (the Tuesday following Thanksgiving), IIBEC set out to raise money for their foundations, RCI-IIBEC Foundation (US) and RCI Foundation Canada (Canada). These foundations aim to better the industry and help move towards safer, more secure building enclosures in many different ways, including:  

• Industry-leading research: Support for these foundations supports research efforts that move the industry forward.  
• Funding publications: These foundations manage the publication of many key publications, like the 5th edition of Wind Uplift Pressures on Low-Slope Roofs. 
• Collaborative work: Because of the support they get, these foundations can collaborate with other organizations, like the Charles Pankow Foundation, to combine efforts for improving the state of the industry. 

If you’re interested in supporting IIBEC’s foundations, contact Rick Gardner, foundations development officer, at rgardner@iibec.org. 

6 – National Frame Builders Association (NFBA) 

NFBA also has a charity organization that you can support! The NFBA Foundation works specifically to strengthen the future of the post-frame building industry. One of their biggest initiatives is their scholarship program, which opens doors for students who are current employees of NFBA member companies or family members of those current employees pursuing higher education fields that support construction and the post-frame profession. 

In addition to this, the NFBA Foundation also supports key training programs and research initiatives around the industry, such as the new edition of the NFBA Post Frame Building Design Manual.  

Donate to the NFBA Foundation and support the future of post-frame building! 

By Utah Roofing Contractors Association (URCA). 

Learn how URCA is aiming to strengthen subcontractor advocacy through this new partnership. 

The Utah Roofing Contractors Association (URCA) is taking meaningful steps to elevate the role and influence of subcontractors across the state through a new partnership with the Utah Subcontractor/Supplier Alliance (USA). The alliance was created to unite subcontractor and supplier groups under a single statewide umbrella while preserving each organization’s individual identity. By aligning efforts and strengthening communication, the collaboration aims to amplify the collective voice of subcontractors and highlight their impact on Utah’s construction economy. 

For URCA, the partnership underscores a long-term commitment to visibility and advocacy. The association recognizes that subcontractors are essential industry partners whose perspectives must be heard in policy discussions, regulatory decisions and workforce development initiatives. Working alongside the Utah Subcontractors Alliance allows URCA to help ensure subcontractors’ interests are represented not only on job sites but also in legislative conversations that shape the industry’s future. 

URCA recently advanced these advocacy efforts through its event, “Inside the Capitol, Outside the Office,” held on November 11, 2025. The gathering gave members the chance to engage directly with Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz, who shared insight into the policies shaping the state’s construction sector. Designed to connect policy with people, the event offered a candid conversation about industry priorities followed by informal networking and a lunch buffet at Top Golf. The event demonstrated that Utah’s subcontractors and suppliers are united and ready to participate in shaping the decisions that will impact their businesses. 

URCA encourages contractors and subcontractors to connect with their local and regional trade groups to stay informed and engaged. By standing together, industry partners can build stronger relationships, bring attention to critical issues and ensure the subcontractor community has a unified voice in decision-making. URCA’s partnership and upcoming initiatives reflect a shared goal: creating a more connected, influential and resilient construction industry in Utah. 

Learn more about URCA’s efforts to strengthen the voice of subcontractors.

By Jesse Sanchez. 

A new partnership aims to give tradespeople more power at the table, both on site and in the statehouse. 

Utah’s subcontractors and suppliers are stepping into the spotlight with a new unified front. The Utah Roofing Contractors Association (URCA) has joined forces with the Utah Subcontractor/Supplier Alliance (USA), forming a coalition designed to elevate the role of the trades in the construction industry. 

This statewide initiative marks a shift in how subcontractors engage with policy, business and advocacy. “This collaboration means more than just shared resources,” the announcement stated. “It’s about unifying our community around a common purpose, from job sites to legislative halls.” 

The newly forged alliance intends to advocate more forcefully for subcontractors’ interests, from fair practices to better representation at the Capitol. The effort keeps the unique identities of participating groups intact while amplifying their collective voice. 

The partnership’s first major public step is Inside the Capitol, Outside the Office, scheduled for November 11. The event promises a rare chance for members to engage directly with Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz in a candid, face-to-face conversation. “This event is more than a meet-and-greet,” URCA noted. “It’s a catalyst for collective action.” 

Also on the agenda: URCA’s release of the Utah Homeowner’s Guide to Verifying Contractors, a resource aimed at protecting consumers while promoting licensed, insured and ethical contractors. The guide is positioned as both an educational tool for homeowners and a branding asset for reputable contractors who want to build trust through transparency. 

This kind of advocacy isn’t unique to Utah. Across the country, organizations like the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) have long worked to elevate the voice of subcontractors at the federal level, championing workforce development, regulatory reform and fair labor practices. URCA and USA’s initiative is part of that broader movement, bringing local muscle to a national cause and reminding contractors everywhere that policy starts at home. 

Learn more about how URCA and USA are uniting to strengthen the voice of Utah’s subcontractors!