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Minneapolis, MN (June 1, 2009) -- Stock Roofing, a Tecta America Company, denies allegations filed by Roofers and Waterproofers Union (Local 96) with the National Labor Relations Board, and stands by their safety policies as among the industry’s most stringent as they continue work on the Target Center despite protest demonstrations.
“As the nation’s largest roofing contractor, Tecta America and its subsidiary, Stock Roofing, take safety very seriously,” said Mark Santacrose, President and CEO, Tecta America Corp. “We take every precaution to be sure that work is being performed in accordance with industry safety practices, and actually exceed requirements in most cases.”
Historically, Tecta’s safety record exceeds the industry average, and the company works in compliance with all federal, state and local standards of care. Tecta employs a full-time Safety Vice President, and spends more money on safety training than any other roofing contractor.
Tecta America has developed and distributed a zero tolerance policy, which simply states that Tecta America will not tolerate the attitudes and behaviors which lead to bad decision making in the areas of productivity, quality and safety.
On any project, but particularly on a project of this scale, daily safety talks and weekly safety "toolbox talks" are standard protocol. Safety glasses, dust masks, and safety harnesses were all provided. Stock also supplies and requires full time use of hard hats and safety vest, even at times when OSHA dos not require their use. Safety harness hooks were present throughout the worksite, and Tecta implements a “three strikes and you're out,” policy for not using the harness.
For the Target Center project, all employees had mandatory drug testing and a pre-employment physical. Despite the fact that the roof is a 2 1/2 acre flat roof with a perimeter fence, safety is always paramount, and Stock Roofing provided all employees four hours fall protection training, plus training in how to use the safety harness, which they were provided and required to use.
When it was first alleged that light levels were low, Stock brought in additional lighting. Subsequent inspection, performed by OSHA with a light meter, proved that the original light levels met OSHA standards even without the supplementary lighting, which was provided regardless.
Stock is paying prevailing wages by job classification. Because the nature of the project involves installation of a green roof, certain aspects of the project fall under landscaping criteria ($27/hour) vs. roofing ($43/hour). According to Tecta America officials, Stock Roofing has met all industry and city qualifications with regard to safety and prevailing wage, and they believe the high-profile nature of the publicly-funded project is what has provoked attention by the Union.
SUPERIOR SAFETY RATING
In a letter provided by industry experts, Lockton Houston Risk Control, which has been working with the Tecta Companies for the past nine years assisting them with the development of their safety management process, “Tecta America has one of the most extensive Safety and Risk Management programs in the construction industry; and by far exceeds those programs typically implemented by those in the roofing industry.”
Tecta America’s interstate Experience Modification Rate [EMR], is consistently superior to industry standards because of their rigorous adherence to policy safety and training measures.
EMR is an industry standard for assessing safety performance based on insurance claims, injury incident and loss rate over a 3-year period. The lower the company’s EMR number, the better their performance. While 1.0 is the industry average, Tecta boasts an EMR of only 0.52. This rate is not only one of the best in the roofing industry, but is one of the best in all construction classifications.
Tecta was named “Best Contractor of 2007” for safety and contract performance by a leading Department of Defense contractor.
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ABOUT TECTA AMERICA
Tecta America Corp., headquartered in Skokie, IL, is the largest commercial roofing company in the U.S., and provides roofing solutions nationwide with over 50 locations and more than 3,500 employees. Services provided include roof installation, roof replacement, new construction, disaster response, repair, restoration, maintenance, full service national roofing management and, through its Tecta ES [Environmental Solutions] division, green roof systems, photovoltaic systems, and daylighting systems. Additionally, Tecta America is a GSA approved contractor, offering government selling agencies the most comprehensive offering of roofing services to provide the best value while helping to meet mandates for the utilization of Small, and Small Disadvantaged Business Subcontractors. For more information about Tecta America, call toll-free, (866) 832-8259 or visit on the web at www.tectaamerica.com or www.greenroof.com.
Tecta America’s Five Point Safety Policy is one of the most comprehensive statements in the construction industry today. It ensures that all Tecta America employees have been properly trained to perform their duties in the safest manner possible.
TECTA AMERICA’S 5-POINT SAFETY POLICY
- Management is Responsible and Accountable for Safety. Our safety and health program is effective because senior management demands and expects safe performance and objective achievement.
- Employees will be Trained to Work Safely. All employees—regardless of position—will be trained in their safety responsibilities and proper safe work procedures.
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