MIOSHA 29th Michigan Worker Death of 2017
Written by SpringfieldNovember 28, 2017 We are so saddened to see that MIOSHA has recently posted the 29th Michigan Worker Death of 2017. That death being a 25-year-old roofer from Ludington, MI. “While installing roofing materials on a steep pitched residential roof, the roofer fell approximately 15 feet to the lower level.” He was not wearing fall protection at the time of the fall and later succumbed to his injuries on November 21st.
As commercial roofing installers and fall protection advocates, we cannot stress enough the importance of fall protection when working on elevated areas. Even the most experienced employee can have a minor trip-up that leads to a fall.
We offer facility evaluations to highlight areas in which your facility needs to have fall protection, followed by a proposal of custom solutions that fit any facilities needs; big or small. Please call us with any questions you may have!
A Cause for Celebration
Written by SpringfieldAugust 4, 2017 YIKES! We had a NEAR MISS – let’s CELEBRATE!!!!
We do not actually break out into a “happy dance” or have a pizza party when we have a “near miss”, but we do actually celebrate the fact that the system we put in place years ago of encouraging our field employees to speak freely to management about near misses is successful. Springfield requires that all near misses are documented and discussed with the management team. This is done in a non-judgmental, non-condescending manner. While Springfield management has learned quite a bit from extensive OSHA and MI-OSHA training and certifications, we sometimes feel that we learn the most from our own employees and their day in, day out experiences of “hands on” construction work. We honor the men and women who work at construction jobs and we hope the attached “near miss” form will help some of you to develop a culture at your workplace where worker safety is embraced and where near misses are treated as opportunities for improvement.
DIY – watch this video and Do It Yourself (DIY)
Written by SpringfieldJuly 13, 2017 
All of us on social media have seen these do it yourself instructions ranging from removing unwanted facial hair to building a backyard volcano for your kids. From taming a wild dog to making lasagna that will even impress your grouchy mother-in-law. Sadly, there is a vast amount of DIY roofing information circulating around on social media.
Please call Springfield before trying any DIY roofing! Working on elevated, uneven surfaces is a dangerous and life threatening endeavor. While DIY is fine for learning how to knit a sweater or tie-dye your old tennis shoes, your safety and life is worth more than the cost of our FREE estimates.
Beat the Heat
Written by SpringfieldJuly 7, 2017
The “DOG DAYS OF SUMMER” are closing in on our talented and physically fit team of construction workers. Our team frequently works without shade which intensifies the heat exponentially. Here are some tips to help you beat the heat
- Drink water early, often and frequently – at least 20 ounces every hour
- When on break, get into the shade or an air conditioned vehicle (if possible)
- Wear synthetic, light colored, athletic clothing that wicks the heat and sweat away from your body
- Come to work well rested and hydrated (note: alcohol consumption the night before work will hinder hydration)
- Take shorter and more frequent breaks
- Take it seriously: Know the signs of heat stress and monitor yourself and co-workers
- Speak up if you notice yourself or a co-worker struggling with any heat related issues
Duro-Last, Inc. Admiral Club Award for 2016
Written by SpringfieldMarch 28, 2017 Duro-Last®, Inc. Honors Springfield Construction with Admission to the Admiral Club
SAGINAW, MICHIGAN – In recognition of outstanding achievement in quality workmanship, customer satisfaction, and 2016 sales volume, Duro-Last, Inc. recently welcomed Springfield Construction to the Admiral Club. Inductees were honored during Duro-Last’s National Sales Seminar held at Loews Royal Pacific Resort in Orlando, Florida, January 29-31, 2017.
“Every year at the Duro-Last Sales Seminar, I am reminded of how our contractors are “Best in Class,” and Springfield Construction is a perfect example of that,” said Duro-Last Chairman of the Board Jack Burt. “Springfield Construction has been consistently going above and beyond for their customers with high-quality work and integrity. We are excited to see what they accomplish in the next year as an authorized Duro-Last contractor.”
About Duro-Last, Inc.
Known as the “World’s Best Roof®”, Duro-Last, Inc. is the world’s largest manufacturer of custom prefabricated, thermoplastic single-ply roofing systems. Factory controlled custom prefabrication eliminates up to 85% of field seams, resulting in lower on-site labor costs and easier installation. This highly sustainable and extremely durable roofing system is leak-proof, virtually maintenance-free and resistant to chemicals, fire, punctures, and high winds. Over two billion square feet of Duro-Last membrane has been installed throughout North America. Duro-Last is headquartered in Saginaw, Michigan with additional manufacturing facilities in Grants Pass, Oregon; Jackson, Mississippi; Sigourney, Iowa; Carrollton, Texas; and Ludlow, Massachusetts. For more information on Duro-Last, call 800-248-0280 or visit www.duro-last.com.
Learning From Each Other
Written by SpringfieldMarch 17, 2017 “If you are going to ask someone for their opinion, you need to be willing to listen.” Terry Umlor, CEO and founder of Springfield Inc.
Northern Michigan Winters tend to slow down the progress of roof installations. While we do get a few nice “roofing” days in January and February, the Springfield management team is challenged to keep our dedicated and faithful field employees’ busy helping at the shop to minimize/eliminate having to lay them off during the dead of winter. One successful project has been developing our training program. Our field employees serve as our best consultants for this endeavor.
Many facets make up the Springfield training program. Certainly OSHA training, equipment certifications, and scheduled hands-on sessions are key components. However, LISTENING and LEARNING to feedback from our field people is perhaps the most critical component of The Springfield Training Program. We learn our “best practices” from the folks making it happen in the field. Because we listen and learn from our installation team, our training program manual will never be found covered with dust sitting on the back shelf of the storage closet. It is a living, breathing, moving set of documents used frequently and updated regularly
Going “Green” Continues to Show Benefits!
Written by SpringfieldMarch 17, 2017 Going “green” continues to show benefits throughout the life cycle of a building.
Today, green buildings can be delivered at a price comparable to conventional buildings and investments can be recouped through operational cost savings and, with the right design features, create a more productive workplace.
“This report synthesizes credible evidence from around the world on green buildings into one collective resource, and the evidence presented highlights that sustainable buildings provide tangible benefits and make clear business sense,” said Jane Henley, CEO of WorldGBC.
“From risk mitigation across a building portfolio and city-wide economic benefits, to the improved health and well-being of individual building occupants, the business case for green building will continue to evolve as markets mature. Indeed we have already seen this momentum grow globally where in more and more places, green is now becoming the status quo.”
In a release, the council said key findings include:
—Asset value: As investors and occupiers become more knowledgeable about and concerned with the environmental and social impacts of the built environment, buildings with better sustainability credentials will have increased marketability. In fact, studies from around the world demonstrate a pattern of greener buildings being able to more easily attract tenants and to command higher rents and sale prices;
—Design and construction costs: Research shows that building green does not necessarily need to cost more, particularly when cost strategies, program management and environmental strategies are integrated into the development process right from the start;
—Operating costs: Green buildings have been shown to save money through reduced energy and water use and lower long-term operations and maintenance costs. The energy savings alone typically exceed any cost premiums associated with their design and construction within a reasonable payback period;
—Workplace productivity and health: Research shows that the green design attributes of buildings and indoor environments can improve worker productivity and occupant health and well-being, resulting in bottom line benefits for businesses;
—Risk mitigation: Sustainability risk factors can significantly affect the rental income and the future value of real estate assets, in turn affecting their return on investment. Regulatory risks have become increasingly apparent in countries and cities around the world, including mandatory disclosure, building codes and laws banning inefficient buildings.
The report concludes that illustrating that by greening our built environment at the neighborhood and city scales, the green building industry can deliver on large-scale economic priorities such as climate change mitigation, energy security, resource conservation and job creation, long-term resilience and quality of life.
“This report underscores that green buildings play a fundamental and cost-efficient role in tackling some of the immediate challenges of our times,” said Rick Fedrizzi, chair of the WorldGBC and president, CEO and founding chair of the U.S. Green Building Council.
“The WorldGBC is proud to continue to play a leadership role in the explosive growth of the global green building industry as we all continue to create a world that will give people better, brighter, healthier spaces to live, work and play.”
The report was produced in partnership with PRP Environmental along with the following sponsors: Skanska, Grosvenor, and the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council/Estidama.
The World Green Building Council is a network of national green building councils from around the world.
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Singing Our Praises
Written by SpringfieldDecember 23, 2016 
Springfield had the opportunity to re-roof the Leelanau School this past summer. Our work crews enjoyed spending time on this project—-in beautiful Glen Arbor in the midst of Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore and Lake Michigan. We were pleased to receive the following email from Jon Friley, Head of School regarding our work. A portion of his email is listed below.
“I thank you ALL very, very much!
We had our first significant rainfall last night and this morning. I looked down every hall and classroom – NO LEAKS!!………..Thank you again. Great Work, Excellent Clean-up – can’t say enough good things. Thank you!”
Jon D. Friley
The Leelanau School
Head of School
Cold Weather is Coming
Written by SpringfieldNovember 28, 2016 
Winter is approaching/there is still time…….
Winter is rapidly approaching. Up north in Michigan, we know you are busy at home on the weekends putting away your patio furniture, taking your boats out of the lake, and doing last minute projects around the outside of your house before the white stuff arrives. What about at work? Check out the above photo of ice sickles hanging off the side of an industrial building. Does your work building have large ice sickles hanging off it during the winter? Springfield can help alleviate the heat loss which causes that dangerous ice from forming, creating a safer work environment. An added bonus is your utility bills will be lower too. It’s not too late to “Get R Done” before winter. Call us at Springfield. WE can help!
Industrial Pipe Problems Need Springfield SmartShield
Written by SpringfieldOctober 31, 2016 
Do you have pipes on your industrial facility that look like the above photo? Not only is energy lost, the insulation is completely compromised; it is moldy and could likely be causing corrosion/failure points on your pipes. SmartShield to the rescue!!! Springfield SmartShield is a patent protected method of insulating pipes and ducts that is fail proof and energy efficient. It is installed and widely used in Northern Michigan in the food and fruit processing industries where a compromise of any kind can be catastrophic. The only place to get it is through Springfield and we would enjoy visiting your facility for a free evaluation/consultation to explain how this revolutionary product can help you with the day to day issues you face at your industrial building.
Below is a picture of pipes wrapped in Springfield Smartshield:
