Hogan Construction Group

Source: Construction Digital

Date :31/10/2007 06:09:30

Hogan puts safety first

How do you compete in such a challenging industry? According to Hogan Construction, safety and training is how

Written by Rebecca Waters and Produced by Chris Culkeen

‘We are builders, but we build more than buildings.’ According to the group, this is the philosophy behind Hogan Construction. Not only is the company a growing competitor in the construction industry, but it also builds people, careers and relationships to create an enduring legacy.

Before founding Norcross-based Hogan Construction Group in 1998, Paul Hogan worked for ten years in the construction industry, both practically - gaining experience as a laborer, carpenter and foreman – and officially – working on the financial side of construction as a Senior Estimator, on the Operations side as Chief Operations Officer and learning managerial and leadership principles as a Group President.

During his 30 years in the industry, Hogan has become a fast track specialist and an expert in program development, which defines the success of this growing company. Hogan Construction specializes in a range of construction projects for the commercial, health, hospitality, interior, recreational, education, municipal and telecom sectors while offering a range of services to accommodate these markets.

These include Scheduling, which involves arranging the extraction of resources according to their availability and the demands of competing subsistence activities; Value Engineering - evaluating the construction methods and/or materials in order to eliminate unnecessary costs and achieve the desired level of performance, reliability and customer satisfaction; and On-Site management.

Construction services

One of the commercial projects that the group has undertaken is the construction of Northpark 500 Roof Garden, which was completed earlier this year. For the project, which was completed on schedule and within budget, Hogan provided services including scheduling, value engineering, construction feasibility and onsite construction management.

Hogan Construction has worked on further commercial projects including the Atlanta Financial Centre completed in January 2004 and the Alpharetta Community Bank in December 2004.

As well as the considerable project successes, in April this year Hogan Construction was honored at the annual Atlanta Alliance on Developmental Disabilities (AADD) Heart of Gold Awards Dinner, marking the company’s outstanding contributions to Georgia’s community of people living with developmental disabilities.

Following its support of AADD’s recreation activities and a successful fundraising project which raised thousands of dollars, the company was awarded the Jocelyn Dorsey Community Philanthropy Award, crediting the group and its staff.

Training

Having top-quality staff is an area where Hogan Construction takes considerable pride and investment; in this year’s first quarter alone, the company has re-invested some $35,000 in Hogan University training.

Hogan Construction is committed doing it right the first time and not taking short cuts that will reduce the project’s quality; this means employing the right kind of people with the right knowledge: to better educate its people and better educate its bottom line. The company is acutely aware that training is paramount and the key to success and safety in the industry, and provides a wide number of internal training opportunities.

The group provides a number of bi-annual classes which are taught by industry professionals. These include practical, reality-based applications covering Safety Training, Regulatory Training, Management Skills and Construction Knowledge, with wide-ranging past programming including NPDES Certification, Rough Terrain and Forklift Safety and Certified Flagger Training.

To compliment the merit itself, the company also recognizes its employees at meetings as well as by offering a positive bonus. It also makes free OSHA 10-hr training available twice each year for its subcontractors.

CHASE program

At Hogan Construction, safety is imperative, and the responsibility of everyone. Under the management of its Safety Director Elizabeth Gabbett, Hogan Construction has a comprehensive safety program which fully complies with the Occupational and Safety Health Administration (OSHA) requirements for workplace safety.

The group has an exceptional safety record, incurring no major accidents. In order to strengthen and maintain this record, the group’s safety committee, which is made up of Hogan Project Managers and Superintendants, constantly review Hogan’s safety policy and procedures. These include regular reviews of employee training to ensure that each employee is trained to and with knowledge of current safety standards.

Hogan Construction is also one of 13 general contractors in Georgia to have been accepted into the CHASE (Construction Health and Safety Excellence) program, a partnership between OSHA, participating general contractors and the AGC (Association of General Contractors). The program, implemented in 2003 by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, is designed to reduce the number of injuries, illnesses and fatalities at participating construction industry employers by emphasizing, increasing, recognizing, promoting and demanding the highest safety standards.

As a member of the program, Hogan Construction acknowledges the importance of a healthy and safe work environment in construction; this is covered by its safety committee and physical inspection procedures as well as by its practical training classes including OSHA ten hour training class, first aid and CPR classes which are completed by Superintendents and Assistant Superintendents.

Hogan Construction is well equipped for 2008. Not only does the group have the supply and demand but the merit and accreditation to further its market competitiveness.

At present, the company is working on a number of projects, including Tremont Condominiums, which is a six storey unit of 78 luxury townhomes in Atlanta, Georgia. As part of the project, which is due for completion in 2008, Hogan is providing Scheduling, Value Engineering and On site Construction Management.

Other current projects that the company will provide service for include the construction Corner Market in Conyers, Georgia and Artisan Phase II in Decatur, Georgia. Both projects are due for completion in early 2008.