I was a state licensed Residential Builder for 14 years and some of this thread's statements in reply are total bullshit.

Roofing contractors, for that matter all contractors and sub-contractors, who hire employees must have workman's compensation insurance by law. If a workman is injured on the job his medical expenses and loss of income is paid by the insurer. ( A "workman's compensation claim"). This insurance is one of the building contractor's most costly state mandated benefit costs. Even if a contractor does not provide common employee benefit major medical insurance he must by law provide workman's compensation to any employee or uninsured sub-contractor.

In some cases there is a cap as to time -- permanent disability, disability over 5 years, is not always covered by the state mandated policy.

Roofers are among the most costly workers to insure -- 30% to 40% of a worker's wages are spent in worker's compensation insurance.

Should roofing workers be mandated to wear safety harnesses? I would say no -- in most cases safe working habits are enough but in some extreme working environments is it probably a good idea and I saw some workers using safety harnesses and other equipment voluntarily years ago.

However, it is privately paid for workmen's compensation insurance that pays the costs of most on-the-job injuries.

It is possible to include the cost of this insurance in the cost of the work but if injuries decline the insurers are in no great rush to reduce premiums and the end cost of the work will most likely see no dramatic cost declines to the end consumer.