The art and safety of roofing: Why training and certification matter

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Proper training elevates the roofing industry, ensures safety and reduces costly mistakes. 

In this episode of the AskARoofer podcast, hosts Megan Ellsworth and Lauren White discussed the critical topic of training and certification in the roofing industry with guest Henry Staggs, a seasoned roofing consultant. Henry, who has been immersed in the roofing world since his teenage years, expresses the necessity of robust training for both safety and craftsmanship. 

Henry reminisces about the hands-on learning he experienced growing up, often learning by making mistakes and enduring tough lessons from his grandfather. But he contrasts that old-fashioned approach with the modern need for formal, well-structured training programs. "I learned everything I learned right out there in the dirt in the thick of it," Henry says. "I learned how to swing a hammer by swinging a hammer and getting yelled at when I did it wrong, which was quite often to start with as I recall now." 

Henry painted a picture of the past versus the present. He details how a strong emphasis on training can improve workmanship and decrease expensive callbacks. "The better trained they are... the better the seams are going to be and the fewer things guys like me are going to find," Henry shares. 

Proper training also empowers roofers to take pride in their work and increases their professionalism. According to Henry, when roofers are certified, they are not only safer but also take greater ownership of their projects. "They get paid better. They're treated better. They're treated like a professional. They have documentation that shows they're professional. That's going to naturally increase their workmanship." 

Read the transcript or Listen to the podcast to learn more about the broader implications of safety and training, such as preventing on-site accidents and ensuring contractors are fully compliant with OSHA standards!