Flashings

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UL Environment acquires companies

Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Environment has acquired Air Quality Sciences (AQS), Atlanta, and its certifying body, GREENGUARD® Environmental Institute. The companies will become part of UL Environment and join the UL global network.

AQS helps manufacturers identify the chemicals being emitted from their products. GREENGUARD Certification provides assurance that manufacturers' products have been independently evaluated for low-chemical emissions, helping manufacturers communicate their sustainability message to the marketplace.

The acquisition will combine AQS' indoor air-quality testing technology and GREENGUARD's brand recognition with UL's standards development and testing.

OSHA issues PPE enforcement guidance

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued Enforcement Guidance for Personal Protective Equipment in General Industry, a directive that provides enforcement personnel with instructions for determining whether employers have complied with OSHA personal protective equipment (PPE) standards. The directive went into effect Feb. 10.

The directive replaces Inspection for 29 CFR 1910 Subpart I, the revised Personal Protective Equipment Standards for General Industry issued in June 1995. Changes in the new directive include clarifying what type of PPE employers must provide at no cost to workers and when employers are required to pay for PPE.

Employers are required to provide, at no cost to workers, goggles and face shields that fit properly without restricting vision; earplugs and earmuffs when they will reduce noise to acceptable levels and are less costly than administrative and engineering controls; and respirators to protect workers from exposure to air contaminants.

Additionally, the directive lists PPE and other items exempt from the employer payment requirements and includes questions and answers to be used to clarify PPE payment concerns.

Business groups target EPA with complaints

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the target of complaints from business groups. In more than 100 letters sent by trade associations, businesses and some conservative groups to Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, EPA rules were cited more than those from any other agency. At least 30 organizations cited EPA's rules to curb carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions as an impediment to company growth. The letters were a response to Issa's call for businesses to identify regulations they deemed burdensome.

OSHA issues guide for cranes and derricks rule

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued the Small Entity Compliance Guide for Cranes and Derricks in Construction.

The small-business guide is intended to help businesses comply with the Cranes and Derricks in Construction rule, which OSHA published in August 2010 to address the number of worker injuries and deaths associated with using cranes and derricks in construction as well as technological advances in equipment.

The guide is divided into chapters corresponding to sections of the standard. It is available with other OSHA compliance materials regarding crane-related topics on the agency's website, www.osha.gov.

In September 2010, NRCA issued a Special Report about the crane standard, explaining the rule's main provisions and how they affect roofing contractors throughout the U.S. To see NRCA's Special Report, visit www.nrca.net/consumer/safety/specrpt/0910_crane.aspx.

Details

Kent Schwickert

What is your position within your company?
I am co-president of Schwickert's, a Tecta America company, Mankato, Minn. I also am the director of vendor relations for our parent company, Tecta America Corp., Skokie, Ill.

What is the most unusual roofing project you've performed?
The roof on Mankato-based Minnesota State University's Trafton Science Center. The HVAC systems for the building had a central plenum in the roof that maintained general air movement and had to be rebuilt into the roof system. Additionally, the individual exhaust systems for lab equipment and venting for specialized equipment with caustic liquids had to be maintained. We also added new mechanical systems, waterproofing, etc., all while maintaining full-time occupancy/operations.

Why did you become a part of the roofing industry?
It is a family business.

What was your first roofing experience?
In high school, I was the material delivery boy to job sites. I met some great people who worked for us but also some pretty scary old-timers.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A professional baseball player, but after that bubble burst, a stock broker

What is the most high-tech thing in your house?
An iPad

List three words that best describe you.
Committed, trusting and detail-orientated

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Italy—I've been there several times and can't get enough of it.

What three condiments are always in your fridge?
Mayo, ketchup and Durkee® Sandwich Spread

What is your biggest pet peeve?
People who never want to be part of the solution but only part of the problem

What qualities do you most like in a person?
Trust and integrity

If you could invite any three people (dead or alive) to dinner, whom would you invite and why?
My dad—just to tell him what's going on and show him around. I think he would be impressed. Winston Churchill—I love listening to World War II stories, especially the intelligence stuff. Ronald Reagan—he's a pretty amazing guy.

What are the most challenging aspects of your job?
People management and trying to survive in an economy where our competition is desperately trying (and failing) to exist

What is your roofing industry involvement?
Currently, I serve on NRCA's board of directors. I have served multiple terms as a director, been a vice president of NRCA's Executive Committee, served on multiple committees and participated in several initiatives with The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress.

People would be surprised to know …
I am developing a startup winery in Minnesota.

Stick to basic policies to enhance retention

When an employee leaves your company, it can cost you money even if a replacement is hired soon after. When the employee leaves, he or she takes knowledge of the organization with them and can cause you to question or doubt your company's policies and procedures.

Following are some basic policies to put in place that can help with retention:

• Focus on employee development. Raising salaries doesn't necessarily keep employees from quitting. Many employees also are interested in building their skills to become more valuable to the organization.
• Work to resolve conflicts. Employees often leave when they cannot resolve differences with management. In a sense, quitting allows them to have the last word in the argument. Maintain an open-door policy with your employees and treat everyone fairly to help employees work through issues.
• Hold high standards. Place great value on integrity and ethical behavior. Doing so will help you gain employee support and loyalty.