D. C. Taylor Co. Completes 2025 Winter Crew Training
Over the last two months, D. C. Taylor Co. conducted winter training events in its Iowa, Illinois, and California offices. Nearly all of the company’s field personnel participated in three 3- to 4-day training sessions encompassing everything from leadership to trade work skills. “These recent training sessions were highly successful, with impressive engagement from our crew members,” says Brent Taylor, President, D. C. Taylor Co., Cedar Rapids, IA. Trainings covered the following topics:
Safety
Crew members completed OSHA 30-hour training that teaches how to identify and avoid hazards. Part of this training included CPWR’s Foundations for Safety Leadership (FSL) training, which introduced the LEADeR acronym, emphasizing that effective safety leaders:
Lead by example,
Engage and empower team members,
Actively listen and practice 3-way communication,
Develop team members through teaching, coaching, and feedback, and
Recognize team members for a job well done.
“This training reinforced that leadership is earned through peer following, and that everyone has the potential to lead,” says D. C. Taylor Co.’s Safety Manager Kirk Dighton.
A hands-on fall rescue refresher focused on proper assessment of fall incidents, safe and efficient rescue techniques, as well as problem-solving skills for rescue challenges. Identification of potential fall hazards were also explored. “The training really highlights the importance of preparedness and skill development for these high-stakes situations,” notes Dighton.
Trade Work and Material Handling Skills
Crews learned about and practiced applying water block sealant, performing detail work, and handling sheet metal, as well as safe and effective trailer loading and strapping. Emphasis was placed on following manufacturer instructions and understanding the building science behind installations, information which can help field personnel identify and address project scope oversights.
Core Values
Training discussed D. C. Taylor Co.’s core values: safety, integrity, partnership, pride in our work, and stability. These values are important to guide decision-making. All employees are encouraged to embody these principles in their daily work.
During the training event, field personnel were encouraged to nominate their peers for annual company awards. The recognitions highlight best practices and reinforce positive behaviors through shared success stories among team members. Congratulations to the following individuals on their awards.
West Coast Winners
Leadership Award – Daniel Lopez Negrete
Driver Award – Alex Harrison
NRCA Award – Alex Harrison
Safety Award – Jose Frias Miramontes
Team Player Award – Adam Awand
East Coast Winners
Leadership Award – Brian Goede
Driver Award – Ron Kearns
Safety Award – David Vigil Chicas
“As we implement the lessons from these training sessions, we’re already looking ahead to next year’s training topics,” says Taylor. “Our focus remains on continuous improvement and maintaining the highest standards of safety and professionalism in our work.”
About D. C. Taylor Co.
D. C. Taylor Co. is a Cedar Rapids, IA-based roofing contractor with 75+ years of experience installing, repairing, and maintaining roofs at commercial, institutional, and industrial facilities. With service centers in four states and 17 service and roofing crews, D. C. Taylor Co. is poised to respond to customer needs quickly and efficiently. For more information on D. C. Taylor Co., visit www.dctaylorco.com.
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