Operating with safety in mind sets you up for success

By Emma Peterson. 

Having a safety-first focus is key to building an efficient and effective contracting business. 

Roofing can be a very dangerous profession, but thankfully there are tools available on the market to help keep roofing professionals safe. In an episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Heidi J. Ellsworth spoke to Brandon Strawder from RIDGEPRO to talk about operating with a safety-first focus. His family developed the RIDGEPRO as a simple way to integrate safety into everyday roofing practices. Brandon explained, “One of the things we're most proud of is that a lot of contractors who never used safety equipment before started into the safety industry with the RIDGEPRO.” This is a system that acts as an anchor to create a lifeline on residential roofs. 

The RIDGEPRO is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to safety in the industry, and Brandon wants to see it go even further. Getting on the roof can be dangerous, no matter how many years you have in the industry. He described a story he heard when his family moved into a new neighborhood, “We moved into our house and started telling people about what I did, and they said, ‘Oh, you need to talk to this person down the block, because his father was working on a roof and fell off and actually passed away.’”  

Brandon emphasized that building a culture of safety-first is a pillar of professionality, however he knows it can be slow going. He elaborated, “One day safety practices are being used and accepted everywhere. The next time you turn around there's another thousand roofers you hear of that aren't using anything.” But overall, products like the RIDGEPRO are making it easier for contractors to prioritize safety. Brandon was especially excited to note that “a lot of smaller companies are really getting involved in the innovation process of roofing safety.” 

Investing in this safety-first perspective can also help with employee retention and satisfaction. Brandon explained, “As a roofing company, it's just more profitable to invest in your people than it is to have this revolving door of new talent coming in because they don't feel valued, and they leave.” By prioritizing safety and ensuring everyone makes it home each night, roofing companies can be more effective and efficient.  

Read the transcript or Listen to the podcast to learn more about the RIDGEPRO and how it can keep you safe on the job.