Empire Scaffold, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sunbelt Rentals Inc., is a specialty contractor, meaning the company specializes in one service — industrial scaffolding. As a full-service scaffolding company, Empire Scaffold is dedicated in providing continuous on-site support for the duration of all projects and superior service levels for jobs of all sizes. No job is too large or too small.
But the company’s main focus is safety. In any industrial application, safety is absolutely critical. Empire Scaffold’s designated safety coordinators are experienced in both safety and scaffold construction. Trevor Johnson leads Empire Scaffold’s safety team and serves as the company’s corporate safety director. He has more than 18 years of experience in the industry and focuses on the identification and elimination of any risks associated with a project.
“I provide advice and help in administering safety policies, programs and safe work procedures,” Johnson said. “I also ensure safety is a commitment brought to every aspect of Empire’s business.”
One safety feature Empire Scaffold recently implemented is a mass text messaging system for its employees.
“Being the corporate safety director, it’s hard to be everywhere at once,” Johnson said. “This messaging system allows our supervisors and foremen to implement our safety efforts at the job-sites. In regards to safety, communication is crucial because everyone must be on the same page and must follow the same safety guidelines and procedures.”
Empire Scaffold has been recognized by the industry for its safety accomplishments and milestones. Recently, the company’s Monroe, La., branch was awarded a zero incident award by the Safety Council of East Texas. Empire Scaffold is currently working on a large project in North Dakota where it has performed 335,000 hours without an OSHA recordable incident.
Empire Scaffold also emphasizes the importance of safety through its training of employees. The company uses its corporate office in Baton Rouge, La., as its main training center. In addition, Empire Scaffold has established training orientations at safety councils near its other branches to prepare employees for on-site work. Safety programs for employees and customers include everything from competent person and confined space entry to respiratory protection and fall protection.
“Safety is always going to be our No. 1 priority,” Johnson said. “Our EMR is very good and it’s something we’re proud of.”
Empire Scaffold’s current management team purchased the company in 2002 with one office in Monroe and quickly expanded to other areas. Today, Empire Scaffold has eight locations and serves customers in the petrochemical, refinery, pulp and paper, power and utility, offshore and shipbuilding industries. Empire Scaffold’s newest branch, in the Rocky Mountain region, is stationed in Cheyenne, Wyo.
For fiscal year 2012, Empire Scaffold maintained an average of 800 employees, and with a scaffold inventory ready to meet any demand, the company performed projects ranging from two to 515 scaffold builders. Empire Scaffold’s management team also has more than 500 years of combined industry experience.
For more information, visit www.empirescaffold.com or call (225) 924-3170.
