Safety Initiatives for the Framing Community
Work Safely, Go Home Safely
By Molly Butz and Kenny Shifflett
The National Framers Council (NFC) was formed because people wanted to change the way business was done concerning rough framing in the construction industry. For many years, the builders, general contractors, framers, and component manufacturers were all independent from one another, lacking a good line of communication. The founders of the NFC had the idea that if the framer and the component manufacturer worked together, it would make jobs run better and help prevent, if not solve, problems before the job got started. One of the big issues was safety on the jobsite, which is how NFC’s FrameSAFE was born. As the years progressed, the Structural Building Components Association (SBCA) and the NFC have worked together to improve safety, as well as address many issues within the industry.
Specifically, over the last year, one of SBCA’s initiatives was to ensure framer safety during the handling and installing of trusses and components. Per the U.S. Department of Labor Statistic’s Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Summary, 2023, a work-related injury happens every 99 minutes, with construction having the most fatalities in the sector1. With this in mind, the NFC and SBCA took action to create an additional safety warning for those who come into contact with or install components, such as trusses.
SBCA introduced the Component Warning Notice (CWN) as part of its commitment to jobsite safety, particularly for framers and other professionals handling structural building components. This initiative is designed to raise awareness about the risks associated with installing trusses and components, ultimately helping to prevent injuries and accidents. SBCA’s component manufacturer members’ primary goal with the CWN is to ensure that installers are aware of the potential risks associated with installing components and to provide additional safety warnings to help ensure that those coming into contact with components would go home safely. This initiative is a great example of how the partnership between the SBCA and the NFC continues to add value to our industry.
At its core, the CWN serves as a clear and consistent warning system, ensuring that everyone handling structural building components understands the potential hazards. It’s not just about compliance with OSHA regulations—it’s about making safety an everyday habit on jobsites. By bringing attention to and reinforcing best practices, the CWN helps increase the awareness of the risks of falls, collapses, and other jobsite accidents.
The Component Warning Notice is made up of three main parts: the Component Warning Notice Tag, the Component Warning Notice Sheet, and the Component Warning Notice Website. Each plays an important role in making safety information easily accessible.
First, there’s the Component Warning Notice Tag, which is intended to be attached to every truss and component sent to a jobsite. These tags are durable and weather-resistant, ensuring they remain visible throughout the construction process. They follow ANSI Z535 safety communication standards, using standardized colors and symbols to highlight potential dangers. Each tag also features a QR code linking to the Component Warning Notice Website, allowing framers to quickly access additional safety information.
Next is the Component Warning Notice Sheet, which is included in SBCA’s Standard Jobsite Packages. This sheet reinforces the safety messages from the tag and provides detailed guidelines for handling and installing components safely. Like the tag, it follows ANSI Z535 safety standards and includes a QR code linking to more resources. Since construction sites often have multilingual teams, the sheet is available in both English and Spanish to ensure that all workers can understand the safety information.
The final piece is the Component Warning Notice Website, found at
www.componentwarningnotice.com. This site serves as a central hub for all CWN-related information. Framers and other jobsite workers can find comprehensive safety guidelines, links to important industry resources (like the Building Component Safety Information (BCSI) Guide), and updates on the latest best practices. Because construction standards and safety protocols continue to evolve, the website ensures that workers always have access to the most up-to-date information.
In Tandem: FrameSAFE and the Component Warning Notice
While the Component Warning Notice provides critical safety information specific to handling and installing structural components, it’s even more effective when used alongside the National Framers Council’s FrameSAFE program.
FrameSAFE is a comprehensive jobsite safety program created by and for professional framers. It provides OSHA-compliant guidelines, toolbox talks, and best practices tailored specifically for framing crews. The program covers key areas like fall protection, safe handling of trusses and wall panels, and communication protocols, all of which directly complement the safety messages found in the CWN.
By integrating FrameSAFE training and resources with the Component Warning Notice, framing crews have access to a powerful combination of real-time jobsite warnings and structured safety education. Framers who have been trained in FrameSAFE best practices are better prepared to recognize and respond to the hazards highlighted in the CWN. Meanwhile, the CWN serves as a constant reminder in the field, reinforcing those safety lessons and ensuring that best practices are followed every day.
For framers, interacting with the CWN is simple but impactful. The tags immediately alert them to potential hazards when materials arrive and while they’re in the process of installing the components. The Component Warning Notice Sheet provides detailed safety instructions to follow during installation. If they ever need more details, the website is just a quick scan away via the QR code found on the CWN Sheet and CWN Tag. By combining this with FrameSAFE’s resources, crews gain a deeper understanding of why these warnings matter and how to safely handle the risks.
SBCA’s Component Warning Notice is a crucial tool for improving jobsite safety, but when paired with the National Framers Council’s FrameSAFE program, it becomes even more powerful. FrameSAFE provides the training and education needed to prevent accidents, while the CWN delivers immediate, on-the-job reminders that reinforce safe practices. Together, they help framers create a stronger safety culture, ensuring that every worker has the knowledge and resources they need to stay safe on the job.