Roofing company puts safety first

HAMMOND | In a bid to protect the livelihoods of their employees, Korellis Roofing held its annual daylong Safety Fest on Friday.

Company President Pete Korellis said his business has prioritized the day for the last 15 years as a way to try to minimize workplace accidents heading into the busy summer roofing months.

Falls off roofs is a huge concern, he said.

There is a risk that's inherent in our business, Korellis said. I want to send you home because you were safe, not because you were lucky.

The daylong eight-hour training session includes training from a Hammond police officer on defensive driving, how to put out simulated fires, crane operation training and how to properly use aerial man lifts, he said.

The training is there in part, he said, to give the owners a peace of mind that they are doing everything possible to prevent workplace injuries.

The Hammond-based company started by his father, George has been in business since 1960. Of their 150 employees, Korellis estimates about 120 are roofers.

Employees also get additional safety training throughout the year from the Local 26 Roofers Union, the Sheet Metal Workers Local 26 and Carpenters Local 599, he said.

I can look in the mirror and can feel confident that I have trained these guys, that no other company in this industry has gone to that extent, he said.

It means a lot, he said. I'm glad the guys feel like we really care about them here.

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Roofing company puts safety first