Duro-Last, Inc., the world’s largest manufacturer of custom-fabricated single-ply roofing systems, announced a local award and national safety certification received by its Grants Pass, Ore., manufacturing facility.  

In late January 2017, Duro-Last received the prestigious 2016 Business Excellence Award from the Grants Pass and Josephine County Chamber of Commerce, and the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Organization (OSHA) presented the Oregon facility with the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star Site certification in November 2016. 

According to Colene Martin, president/CEO of the Grants Pass and Josephine County Chamber of Commerce, “The Business Excellence Award is given to a chamber member who has a record of dependability, success, exceptional customer service and leadership. The criteria for selection include business character, business excellence, customer relations and community service. Duro-Last not only excels in these areas but also is known for their excellent employee safety standards and the vast number of awards they have received for it over the years.” 

The most recent safety award for the Duro-Last facility is OSHA’s VPP Star Site certification, which is the highest of three designations offered by the VPP.  

The VPP promotes effective worksite-based safety and health, according to OSHA. This is for OSHA’s official recognition of outstanding efforts of employers and employees who have achieved exemplary occupational safety and health. The goal is to encourage private industry and federal agencies to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses through hazard prevention and control, worksite analysis, training and cooperation between management and workers. The VPP enlists worker involvement to achieve injury and illness rates that are below the National Bureau of Labor Statistics averages for their respective industries. 

Oregon OSHA Director Michael Wood presented the award at the Grants Pass facility on November 17.  

“We are proud of the work we have done with OSHA, which has allowed us to learn the best practices of other VPP companies and has helped us understand the importance of continuous improvement in safety programs,” said Tim Hart, vice president of Western operations for Duro-Last, Inc. “We thank Oregon OSHA for recognizing the dedication our Grants Pass employees have to safety. Without our employees’ safety mindset, this recognition would not have been possible. We would also like to thank the Oregon VPP team for their encouragement and mentoring.”  

This OSHA honor is not a one-time award, however. Retaining VPP Star Site status is an ongoing process, and continuous improvement is expected. 

“Duro-Last was the first company in Oregon OSHA history to be awarded the VPP Star level on the first try. This is a truly tremendous milestone,” said Hart. “Usually a company gets the ‘Merit’ status first, and then needs several more years to complete the application process for Star status. Our team decided to apply for the Star status directly. Our efforts took a little under two years because we had the full cooperation and enthusiasm of the entire Duro-Last team.” 

The Grants Pass facility will serve as a future mentor to other organizations applying for OSHA VPP status. In 2016, Duro-Last was appointed to the Governor’s Oregon Occupational Safety & Health Panel. A graduate of OSHA’s Safety & Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP), Duro-Last is part of the Southern Oregon SHARP Alliance. Duro-Last also belongs to the Redwood Safety Committee, Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development Inc. (SOREDI), and the Grants Pass and Josephine County Chamber of Commerce. 

“Since the first Duro-Last roof was installed in the 1970s, the company has been on a growth path,” said Hart. “In 1985, Duro-Last expanded into Grants Pass, Oregon. In 1987, we purchased 47,000 square feet of manufacturing and 7,500 square feet of office space at the North Valley Industrial Park. In 1996, we completed and opened a new 60,000-square-foot manufacturing facility. We expanded again in 2006, adding 35,000 more square feet of manufacturing space to accommodate EXCEPTIONAL® Metals, a division of Duro-Last. Throughout it all, we’ve remained committed to safety, to quality and to being good neighbors to our communities.” 

For more information, visit www.duro-last.com.