Description
Since December 2004, this company has been part of a growing industry, promising to continue “Building Excellence Every Day”. We are a fully licensed general contractor but specialize in shell construction. Our company completes services in foundation concrete, masonry, and carpentry work. We build for residential, custom, and commercial builds including single and multi-family homes, all over the state of Florida, including Miami, Port Saint Lucie, Naples, and Fort Myers
Our average cycle time to complete the shell for a 1 story is under 4 weeks, and 2 story is under 6 weeks. Our shells are always completed on time. If there is a moment where the shell is behind, it is because of material shortage like concrete block or labor shortage due to the labor law passing, but we always problem solve each matter on the spot whether it is making the right phone call to the right person, or communicating as a team and agreeing on the best solution that is then shared with the builder.
We have found many successes within our current safety processes including the initiation of OSHA tool Box topics and OSHA certification trainings. To ensure that our team members and trade partner employees are safe every day across all jobs, our superintendents all over the state of Florida are required to continue leading weekly OSHA toolbox topic meetings. This is a team effort program. These meetings require the signature of the superintendent instructing, along with each individual subcontractor employee name and company name on site, stating that they read and understand all information shared. This certification form is then submitted to the Safety Director and compliance officer for confirmation of completion and processing for additional records of safety measures. We have continued this program into 2024 due to the high success rate of low accidents on site.
Examples of topics discussed include:
• Working Safely with Portable Circular Saws
• Controlling Hazards Associated with Compressed Air Hoses
• Basic Electrical Safety – Avoid misuse of extension cords
• Personal Protective Equipment – Foot Protection/Hand Protection/General Hazards
• Working safely with concrete and cement
• Safe operation of vehicles on site
• How to control feelings of stress and stressful situations
To ensure that all of our superintendents and area managers understand the importance of managing a safe site, our company continues to enforce the completion of the 30-hour OSHA class certification. Our safety program includes helping all of the superintendents and area managers become 30-hour OSHA certified. Our certified team has increased to 97% of the field that now have their OSHA 30 hour. The other 3% are actively completing the program online. Not only do our established safety protocols and programs prove our success rates with low accidents, our most recent OSHA records show these results in action. Below are some results based on the past three years:
1. Zero fatalities on a project within the past three years.
2. Zero “Repeat” or Willful” OSHA citations in the past three years
3. 0-1 OSHA citation in the past three years
The largest task a field superintendent has, is to make sure everyone on the jobsite is doing their job correctly, and safely. Every new superintendent has a one-on-one meeting with the Safety Director, making sure they understand company policies and procedures for a safe site. One program we recently launched is our 3-day Superintendent Training Program. This program’s curriculum has 1 day dedicated towards Safety, Scaffolding training, Harness training, expectations of the builder, expectations of the company, and expectations of OSHA. The audience of this program are all new hired superintendents, along with current superintendents that we feel need some additional training and reminders. The material is taught by our Director of Safety, Harold Murry, along with the regional area managers for that coast. Dedicating this additional classroom time for safety, allows the superintendent to ask about different risk scenarios and how to react or avoid in a safe manner. This program was launched in 2021 and we are only seeing positive results when it comes to safety on site and safety and growth of the superintendent.
Measuring quality of work on a daily basis is measured through the expertise of our field superintendents. We have some of the best construction superintendents in the industry. Many of our supervisors have been with us for 10 – 20 years and have worked in the industry for 30+ years and have offered to share their knowledge with our newer field members. After the superintendent completes the training program, the area manager or lead superintendent will then walk each house with the new superintendent to make sure they understand and see the importance of quality during the structural phase of the home. They are brought through a checklist of daily items they need to inspect which is specified towards each phase of the home. Our check and balances would be our senior level employees verifying their teams work on a daily basis.
The company has continued the following techniques and executions into 2024 to elevate the quality of workmanship on the jobsite:
1.) Our Area Managers and Safety Director facilitate interactive scaffolding training where our superintendents are first taught how to properly scaffold. They are then divided into groups of 3-4 team members and must proficiently prove that they can perform the steps from beginning to end. This training is repeatedly performed until all superintendents pass the training according to the safety director.
2.) Our Safety Director has ensured that every superintendent and area manager has a working harness and that each individual understands how to properly harness to prevent looseness and hitting the ground. This training is given both individually and during monthly divisional team meetings
3.) Ladder safety trainings are led daily by our Safety Director, area managers, and superintendents to ensure safe and proper use
4.) Safety straps and instruction on use are provided to every truck to prevent material flying out of vehicle during transportation
5.) Band all material on site with metal bands during storms and hurricane season, making sure everything is secure from wind and bad weather
6.) AED, CPR, and First Aid training.
As for community engagement, we are highly involved with local colleges and universities for recruiting. We participate in job fairs at Broward College, Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, as well as local job fairs all over the state. We have internship programs that students may enter, as well as full time positions for students that are still working on their construction management degree and need a job that is willing to work with their schedule.
We have supported the local community through sponsorships, and donations to these local organizations: National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) -$1000, Construction Angels – $15,000, Kiwanis International (Pompano Beach Chapter) – $6,000, Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce – $8000, United States Veterans Association (Broward County Chapter) – $250, and Zoe Loren Foundation- $10,000. 9% of the construction industry are women. 19% of R&R employees are women and that percentage is actively growing with the help of our NAWIC Membership. Lastly, we are able to financially support families that have lost a loved one on a construction site, through our sponsorship with Construction Angels.
Employee recognition is extremely important to our company as well. R&R rewards our employees for their outstanding service with crystal award statues at the end of the year in recognition of their hard work and endless dedication. For every compliment received regarding the superintendents, R&R will invite the team managing that project, out to lunch. Our area managers also complete evaluation forms every time a company partner compliments a team member. At the end of the year, these positive remarks are recognized with a financial bonus. We also treat our team to all day fun trips at Universal Studios in Orlando as well as company picnics, and lunch parties. Ultimately, we are never shy to promote and we love sharing the strengths of our team through monthly newsletters!
Lastly, the company started a “Care Team” which provides direct support to all team members who are struggling with a health condition or has a family member struggling with a health issue. For example, we currently have a superintendent that was recently diagnosed with Lung Cancer. His test results show 90% of the cancer is caused by Silica exposure (concrete dust). Our Care team makes sure all health claims are filed for treatment, flexible schedule is authorized for appointments, and overall attention to this matter is given. Different collections are started to help support his bills as well. Another example is another superintendent that recently passed away due to a heart attack on the jobsite in Port Saint Lucie. Our Care Team made sure their families funeral costs were completely paid for, all health claims were taken care of, and we also assisted the 21 year old daughter of the superintendent receive multiple scholarships from Construction Angles, towards her schooling since her father was the one paying for her tuition. The Care Team is a unique team that provides direct support in a manner that feels like family.
