Roof repair or replacement is one of the larger projects a building manager will oversee. With myriad considerations, one that may be overlooked is the safety record of the prospective commercial roofing contractors. A safety mishap by a roofing contractor can potentially be very expensive for the building’s owner and devastating to the contractor.
It is one of the reasons that DK Haney Roofing has one of the most rigorous safety training programs in the roofing industry. “Our biggest concern is the safety of our employees,” said Dustin Haney. “They are our family and with comprehensive safety training, everyone wins – our employees and our customers.”
3 Reasons Why Safety is Important to Commercial Roofing
While every company wants their employees to be safe on the job, especially in high-risk jobs such as commercial roofing, there are three reasons why on-the-job safety is also good business.
- Reduces Over Construction Costs– “Keeping safety at the forefront, not only, help prevent injuries, accidents and lawsuits, but it also helps minimize production costs and insurance premiums. Lower costs allow better pricing to customers,” says Melvin Foster, Safety Officer at DK Haney Roofing.
- Decreases Time for Completion– Foster says, “By having safety standards, programs, policies and protocols in place, projects run smoothly and on time which also have a direct effect on the bottom line.”
- Improves the Quality of the Job – When building owners and managers take an active role in the contractor’s safety and training programs, their mere involvement helps promote quality workmanship.
How a Building Manager Can Choose a Commercial Roofing Contractor With Good Safety Practices
Request and Inspect Records
When considering hiring a roofing contractor, it is critical for a commercial building manager to check the contractor’s past and current safety records. Foster explains.
“When choosing a roofing contractor, requesting their OSHA 300 Log and Experience Modifier Rating (EMR) will give you a good idea of the contractors’ safety record.
“The EMR reflects the contractor’s workers’ compensation loss history compared to other employers in the same industry. A rating of 1.0 represents the industry average. EMR has become the standard for determining a contractor’s safety record because people can easily look at it and make their decision based on whether it falls above or below 1.0.
“Building managers should also enquire about the other safety programs and policies that the roofing contractor has in place. This can include the company’s Job Hazard Analysis(JHA) or Job Safety Analysis (JSA). These offer evidence that the roofing contractor pre-plans for safety on its projects.”
Require Contractors’ Compliance
Building owners and managers should not shy away from requiring that the roofing contractor document and implement the proper safety programs that will protect the employees working on the job site. This can and should be part of the contractual relationship.
Choosing a commercial roofing contractor that has a solid safety culture has immense benefits and should be of the utmost importance in the selection process.
At DK Haney, safety is our number one priority. Our team is certified to safely get and keep your commercial roof up to standard on budget and on time. For more information on a no-obligation consultation, click here.