Once again the Texans do it bigger than the rest: This time it was the 2nd Annual Safety Fest in the Big D of Duncanville, Texas!
At 7:30am, on a beautiful Texas spring April morning, Progressive Roofing Texas’ General Manager, Bruce Ivers, started the festivities. He welcomed over 80 roofers, foremen and superintendents to participate in a full day of hands-on safety exercises and training. They were joined by not only by our supporting vendors, but also our special guests, the Duncanville Police Department and the Duncanville Fire Department (more below).
After the traditional coffee and donuts breakfast, the rounds began. All staff fully engaged in 8 rounds of safety techniques.
Station 1
Fall Protection and Harness Inspection: Sponsored by 3M. Self rescue with a 15′ demo trailer. Trainers from 3M were on hand to show how to properly deploy trauma straps in case of a fall. They also discussed the potential hazards to the body after a fall and how to facilitate pressure relief from the harness leg straps in a limited time.
Station 2
PPE (Personal Protective Equipment): Sponsored by vendor Fastenal; Thanks very much to Nick La Mar, the North Texas Safety Specialist of Fastenal; Nick and his team demonstrated the latest in PPE wear from cut and chemical resistant gloves to hearing and and face protection.
Station 3
Ladder Safety: Sponsored by vendors Fastenal and Louisville Ladder. All things ladder safety: Hazards, set up, preventative measures, inspections and defects.
Station 4
Roof Safety Set up: Sponsored by ISK Industries and Tie Down: Mobile fall protection cart, warning lines, and guardrail systems were showcased.
Station 5
Crane Safety: Training done by Progressive Roofing’s own crane operators Raul Pedroza and TJ Oliver. Use of proper signaling and rigging while handling materials of various weights and sizes.
Station 6
Driving Safety: Training executed by Duncanville Police Department. Special thank you goes to Officers Ben Luna, Michelle Arias, and Doug Sisk for their time and service that day.
Station 7
Tool Safety: Sponsor and trainer Dewalt. Dewalt covered tool safety, Silica training, as well as electrical safety (potential electrical hazards on the roof ranging from cord defects to proper placement of cords).
Station 8
Smart Phone Software: Training was done by Progressive’s Leslie Estes, as she covered field notes, forms, location photos, etc.
Duncanville Fire Department: Thanks to Fire Marshal, Ms. Pam Mcallister, for taking time to talk to our management staff about their commitment to roof safety. They will hold the Annual Fire Truck Pull, titled, “Texas Law Enforcement Torch Run – Benefiting Special Olympics Texas” . This will take place May 18, where Progressive Roofing will be a sponsor and send in a team to support the cause.
Don’t Forget to Support the Texas Law Enforcement Torch Run – North Texas Director “Texas Law Enforcement Torch Run, Benefiting Special Olympics Texas!
One of the main highlights of the Safety Fest was right after a catered Texas – style fajita lunch by On The Border. The talented baker, Ashlee Hernandez, wife of Progressive Roofing’s Superintendent, Ryan Hernandez, baked amazing delicacies for the entire crew. Not only did she design and bake a cake of an actual roof the crew worked on -complete with full safety set up and protection (fully edible!!), but she also created and baked her own self made recipes of 4 different types of cupcakes (The hands down favorite was Maple Bacon -each decorated with a piece of bacon!)
Bruce Ivers wrapped up Safety Fest with the highlight of the day:
Mr. Joe Howell was presented the Safety Award of the Year. What a true honor. With utmost diligence ensuring all of his job sites have been in compliance, Mr. Howell has developed into Progressive Roofing Texas’ most safety conscious Foreman. Congratulations!
A big huge thank you goes to Faustino Bravo, Progressive Roofing Texas’ own Safety Manager, for the organization of the entire event and also all of our above mentioned sponsors.