Safety in every lift, load and mile

By Emma Peterson. 

From safer deliveries to crane support, CDS helps contractors minimize injury risks. 

Roofing consistently ranks in the top five of the most dangerous professions in the U.S. Forbes reported in 2021 that there were “2.4 nonfatal injuries per 100 full-time workers” and “59 fatalities per 100,000 full-time workers.” These are sobering numbers, but the good news is there is a lot that can be done to help lower these statistics, starting with where you get your materials and products!  

Partnering with the right distributor, like Commercial Distribution Specialists (CDS), can help eliminate common safety concerns, like material handling and delivery driving. 

Safer driving  

For many people, the term roofing safety evokes imagery of fall protection and PPE. But safe jobsite practices go far beyond and before you even step on the roof. For many industry professionals, safe practices begin on the road.  

Driving is a routine part of any roofing professional’s day, whether they’re hauling trailers, getting to work and rushing to gather materials. And it is an underrated dangerous part of being on the job. In 2023 alone, there were “41,000 people killed on the nation’s roads in traffic crashes." These crashes can occur for a variety of reasons, such as fatigue, distraction, damaged vehicles or simply going too fast. And beyond the tragic loss of life, poor or dangerous driving can be connected to a variety of jobsite issues like delays. 

So, how can working with a distributor lower your crew’s safety risks on the road? CDS is a part of the SRS Distribution family, meaning they have access to extensive inventory and delivery options. They make it easy to get materials to your jobsite without having to rush around town risking dangerous traffic situations. Their drivers are both cautious drivers and knowledgeable about low-slope roofing, making them the perfect partners for getting any commercial project going in a timely and accurate manner.  

Managing material handling 

Another common safety issue that goes unnoticed in the roofing industry is material handling. Roofing is an inherently physical job, and it is not uncommon for roofers to develop back injuries and other musculoskeletal strains as they work to get materials to the right place on the jobsite and roof.  

But you can help ease this weight, literally and mentally, for your crew by working with CDS! They have an expert fleet of crane trucks and knuckle booms that can get you your materials where you need them, when you need them. Further, their operating team is trained with the most up-to-date safety protocols, ensuring the safest operation of the equipment.  

At the end of the day, partnering with a distributor like CDS not only helps you get the materials you need for your next low-slope roofing project, but it helps your team stay safe. Find a CDS branch near you!