Unlike traditional safety programs that focus primarily on compliance, The HCR Group's approach is centered around field engagement, employee empowerment, and ownership at every level of the organization. Central to that cause is Safety Director Quirio Estrada, a veteran roofing leader looking to make a difference in one of the highest-risk trades.

Across HCR Group companies, crews participate in regular safety meetings, jobsite inspections, and ongoing training designed to reinforce safe decision-making in real-world conditions. RC recently caught up with him to discuss his approach to safety and how to reduce risk on the rooftop.  

BIO INFO:

• Age: 50
• Company/Title: Director of Safety, The HCR Group
• Where’s Home?: Los Angeles
• Years in the Roofing Industry: 2 years
• Family status: Married, four children

RC: Tell us about your current role and how does safety play in to your day-to-day?

QE: My role is to ensure our employees can identify hazards, assess risks, and implement effective controls before work begins. My day includes supporting field operations, answering compliance questions, conducting audits, minimizing risk, and training our workforce. 

I take a proactive approach to safety, recognizing that new hazards and changing work conditions require continuous improvement. One of our biggest challenges is maintaining consistent communication across all our brands, so timely and clear communication is essential. Sharing information about incidents, near misses, and emerging hazards helps identify gaps in our safety program and strengthens our overall approach. To me, safety isn't just part of the job, it's a mindset that influences decisions.

RC: What drew you to the roofing/construction industry, and how did you find your niche in safety?

QE: What drew me to the roofing industry was the opportunity to make a difference in one of the highest-risk trades. I saw that the hazards our crews face every day can be life-threatening, and I wanted to apply my experience to help protect the workforce. 

My niche in safety comes from 30 years in the military, where every mission involved identifying hazards, assessing risk, and implementing controls to protect our teams while accomplishing the mission. That mindset carried over into my current role. I believe the key to preserving our workforce is providing the right training, reinforcing safe work practices, and building a culture where everyone understands that taking the time to work safely is part of the job. 

RC: Do you have a philosophy or approach when it comes to safety that’s easily teachable to roofing contractors? 

QE: In my early years, I was taught a simple phrase and use it as my philosophy: Do the right thing for the right reasons, even when no one is looking. This is what we teach our crews every day and the foundation of our approach to safety. 

Production pressures, routine, and overconfidence can lead people to take shortcuts. That's why safety is a habit, not just a policy. When our employees are on a roof without a supervisor nearby, they still need to make the right decisions because they understand the risks, not because someone is watching.  Every job is different, and hazards never take a day off. If we can build this mindset into every employee, they'll make safer decisions both on and off the job. 

Our approach is centered around field engagement, employee empowerment and ownership at every level of the organization. Across The HCR Group companies, crews participate in regular safety meetings, jobsite inspections and ongoing training designed to reinforce safe decision-making in real-world conditions.

RC: Why is roofing still such a deadly occupation and does it ever get frustrating for you? 

QE: Roofing remains one of the most challenging occupations because the hazards are unforgiving, and complacency can set in. It only takes one missed step or one shortcut for a routine task to become a life-changing event. Over time, some workers become comfortable with the risks and develop the mindset that "it won't happen to me" or "I've always done it this way."

In my experience, that mindset is often more dangerous than the hazard itself. What frustrates me most is when people choose to save time instead of taking the time to implement the proper controls. Fall protection and other safety measures can be time-consuming, but no deadline is worth risking a life. Experience is valuable, but it can also lead to overconfidence. That's why I believe safety requires constant discipline and reinforcement. No matter how experienced someone is, every task deserves the same level of planning and respect. 

RC: Do you have any ‘proudest moments’ in safety to share?

QE: My proudest moments in safety come when I arrive unannounced at a jobsite and see crews identifying hazards, managing risks, and working safely without being prompted. When the foreman and crew already have the proper controls in place, it shows that our training and expectations are being put into practice. It's especially rewarding when employees take ownership, explain the reasoning behind their decisions, and understand the "why" behind our safety procedures. 

I also appreciate when they challenge me or point out hazards previously missed, because it demonstrates critical thinking and genuine engagement. Those moments confirm that we've built the right culture where safety is something our employees own, not something they're simply told to do.

RC: Do you have any cautionary safety-related roofing experiences to share?

QE: A recent close call involved a crew working on a pitched roof where tie-off was mandatory. Although the crew was wearing harnesses, they were not properly tied off. This was immediately identified during a safety audit and corrected on site. 

Close calls like this are often identified during site visits and audits, where field engineers serve as the eyes and ears. These findings are documented and shared across the organization so crews can learn from them and correct issues quickly. Had this not been caught, the crew would have remained exposed to a serious fall hazard. The situation was used as a learning opportunity to reinforce proper fall protection practices and ensure correct tie-off procedures were clearly understood. Incidents like this reinforce the value of consistent audits, communication, and ongoing training to prevent small oversights from becoming serious events.

RC: What can every roofer do today (easily) to help their crews stay safe? 

QE: Avoid tunnel vision. Before starting any task, take a moment to identify hazards and make sure the proper controls are in place. A few minutes of planning can prevent serious incidents. Accountability is just as important. Every crew member should use the required safety equipment and speak up when something doesn't look right. Our goal is to create an environment where every employee feels empowered to identify hazards, speak up and take ownership of safety, not because they’re told to, but because it’s part of who we are; they understand the value of a safe working environment. 

Most incidents result from small shortcuts or overlooked hazards, so consistently reinforcing the basics is essential. When every worker takes the time to plan the job and do it the right way, we reduce risk and help ensure everyone goes home safely.

RC: What does the future of roof safety look like, and why are you encouraged?

QE: I believe the future of roof safety is very encouraging because the industry is making meaningful progress. We're seeing a greater emphasis on training, safety stand-downs, and continuous education, which is giving supervisors and crews the knowledge and confidence to lead safely. I'm also encouraged by the cultural shift taking place. More employees are buying into the idea that safety is everyone's responsibility, and that mindset is reinforced through ongoing communication, site audits, and sharing lessons learned across the organization. Beyond the jobsite, I'm seeing more companies make safety a priority during prequalification, project planning, and estimating. Many are hiring dedicated safety professionals and budgeting time and resources to implement proper controls before work even begins. To me, that's a sign the industry is becoming more proactive.