August 2016

The U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) system is the most widely known "green" building certification system, but recently the Green Building Initiative's Green Globes® building certification system has gained momentum as an alternative to the LEED system. Roofing contractors must be prepared to fulfill any Green Globe responsibilities that differ from their typical responsibilities.

When ProHealth Care built a new ProHealth Care Cancer Center in Pewaukee, Wis., it called upon Paul Crandall & Associates Inc., Grafton, Wis., to provide roof system recommendations and the installations. Paul Crandall & Associates installed a polymer-modified bitumen roof system and a vegetative roof system on the building while wearing bright pink safety T-shirts to honor the spirit of the cancer care center.

Sustainable design has gained popularity in the commercial building sector because of its lower environmental impact and favorable long-term operating costs. One way to incorporate sustainability into a commercial building envelope is to install a vegetative roof system. Vegetative roof systems serve as accessible green environments, provide habitats for birds and insects, and mitigate the urban heat island effect, among other benefits.

The 2016 U.S. presidential campaign has become one of the most hotly contested elections in U.S. history. Employers must be prepared to appropriately respond to any politically-related workplace issues, including discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims, unfair labor practice charges, violence in the workplace, and decreased employee morale and productivity.