Safety meets innovation: Turning heads at IIBEC 2025

By Jesse Sanchez.

Highlighting long-term fall protection solutions — and why consultants are taking notice.

At the 2025 International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC) convention, The Coffee Shop™ Sound Stage sponsored by IB Roof Systems had a busy day of interviews, one of which was with Leading Edge Safety. Heidi J. Ellsworth spoke with Steve Hammond of Leading Edge Safety about jobsite safety and long-term building value.

Steve, representing the Kansas City–based fall protection manufacturer, shared: “We help companies help their employees stay safe on the roof. We don’t want any accidents to happen. We want to keep people safe. We want to keep people working.”

What sets Leading Edge apart isn’t just its dedication to providing the industry with OSHA-compliant, American-made equipment — it’s their recent pivot toward permanent safety solutions. That message resonated loudly at IIBEC, where building consultants increasingly face demands for rooftop systems that are more than just temporary add-ons.

For Steve, IIBEC is more than a showcase — it’s a proving ground. Leading Edge brought what he described as “very substantial examples” of their permanent fall protection systems, inviting attendees to physically test the durability and engineering on-site. Their standout? A roof hatch guardrail system designed to prevent falls through open access points — a product Steve proudly called their “hero.”

Beyond hardware, software made its mark. Their proprietary guardrail estimator tool earned praise for giving consultants a fast, accurate way to configure job specs — right down to freight costs — with just a few clicks.

While consultants primarily attend IIBEC, this conversation is important for contractors to have with business owners and building owners as well. As Steve put it, the right safety system “whether it’s new construction or an existing property, you can always add on the right safety system. You cannot put a price on safety and it’s never too late to add safety.”

The conversation served not only as a promotional piece but as a sharp reminder: safety is not just compliance — it’s culture, branding and future-proofing your business.

Watch the full interview to learn more about how Leading Edge Safety is redefining rooftop protection with permanent solutions, smart tools and real-world insights!