b'were knowledgeable, yet others simply hung up a shingle and sold their services not really knowing what they were talking about. Its always interesting to speak to other roofing The group of contractors began communicating the need for a provincial body following the formation of the Ca- contractors and see what they are doing. My interest nadian Roofing Contractors Association (CRCA) in 1960. By 1963, the group formed an association that would even-tually become the OIRCA. In 1964, the association wasin the trade will never fade.formalized, legal documents to incorporate the association were drawn up, and an operating structure was devised. It was then that Minialoff was elected as the first president of-Joe Minialoffthe OIRCA.The reason why the association was called the OntarioProtective Roofing Industrial Roofing Contractors Association was because the main business of the contractors who formed the associa-tion was industrial roofing, Minialoff said. Although the members were already members of the CRCA, the provin- Safety Productscial association provided a voice for Ontario contractors to deal with the issues they faced. It was a slow process, but we tried to set down some strict rules to make sure everybody was doing things properly.As a result of the insurance companies decision to no longer issue 20-year bonds, the first order of business was to stop issuing 20-year guarantees and roll it back to two,BYbecause if there was going to be a problem with the roof, it would show up within the first two years, Minialoff said. The roofing contractors involved with the association were all very responsible and, for the most part, agreed to the two-year guarantee.Next came a detailed list of rules and regulations for con-tractors to follow on the jobs they were involved with. As the years passed, these rules became more and more strin-gent to ensure that only the best roofing contractors carry the OIRCA brand and maintain a reputation of excellence.Additionally, a technical committee was formed, which Minialoff chaired for a number of years following his OIR-CA presidency. The formation of the technical committee was not only to keep contractors on the leading edge ofThe PR 100 Guardrail Systemtechnology, but it was also established to hold manufactur- is an efficient and practical perimeter guardrail that allows youers responsible for the products they were selling.Thetechnicalcommitteewasalsoresponsiblefortheto work right to the edge of the roof.compilationofatechnicalmanual,whichincludednot Meets and exceeds OSHA & WCB requirementsonly roofing material specification details, but also sheet Accommodates: parapets and cant stripsEasy to installmetal specifications.Provides unobstructed access to roof edgeBeing OIRCA president and technical committee chair was a learning process over the years, and it worked out well because we were always questioning something, Minialoff said. I have a habit of doing that. If I have any suspicion, I want to check it out. We did a number of investigations and found out a number of things that were wrong, as well as a number of things that could be improved upon.Minialoff said that the formation of OIRCA was a good move because it regulates and controls the industry to en-sure excellence and keeps its members up to date on cur-rent technology. Additionally, OIRCA is helping to edu-cate those coming into the industry with its Conestoga /The PR 600 Mobile Fall Protection SystemOIRCA Centre for Roofing Training and Technology, whichcan be moved along the roof by pulling the cart to the desired working location, was opened in the spring of 2010.While Minialoff isnt directly involved in the industry,providing a safe working area. The PR 600 meets O.S.H.A. compliance 1926.502D.he does still take an active interest in the roofing trade and the technologies available. Being an owner of two condo- Roofing & Sheet Metal Super Service Centresminiums in Fort Myers Beach, Fla., he explained that he does take the occasional stroll on the roof. EDMONTON, AB CALGARY, AB WINNIPEG, MB WESTON, ONI still walk over the roof and look for potential things(780) 432-2786 (403) 255-8236 (204) 338-7613 (Weston Road)that are wrong or things that can be improved upon, he(416) 745-4111said. Its always interesting to speak to other roofing con- BARRIE, ON HAMILTON, ON TORONTO, ONtractors and see what they are doing. My interest in the trade(705) 792-6683 (905) 560-2858 (416) 534-8421 WESTON, ONwill never fade. OAKVILLE, ON PICKERING, ON LONDON, ON (Signet Drive)As the association celebrates its 50th anniversary, Mini- (905) 825-0034 (905) 426-4443 (519) 668-3626 (416) 744-2050aloff believes that the OIRCA will continue to be an instru-mental organization to ensure excellence and knowledge inwww.sparmarathon.caan ever-changing industry for many years to come.ORN THE ONLY SOURCE FOR PROFESSIONAL ICI ROOFING CONTRACTORS IN ONTARIO ONTARIO ROOFING NEWSISSUE 4 2021/2211'