At O’Hara’s Son Roofing (OSR) safety is always our top priority, and we’re proud to have Lance Van Cleve leading the charge as our Safety Manager. Lance grew up in Gurnee, Illinois, and now calls Annawan, a small farming village with only 900 residents, home. When he’s not ensuring the safety of our crew on the job, you can find him working on vehicles or taking on home improvement projects—his passion for hands-on work runs deep!
Lance is also a proud father of 10 kids and grandfather of 10 grandkids. It’s safe to say he knows the importance of keeping everyone safe, both on the job and at home.
We’re grateful for Lance’s leadership and dedication to making sure our team stays safe every day. Thank you for all you do, Lance!
1. Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’ve been in the roofing industry for 32 years and have been working with OSR since 2014. I was also the first Travel Manager, with my first assignment being a Walmart project in Omaha, NE.
2. What’s the most unusual safety hazard you’ve ever encountered?
I went to help my son change a flat tire in a McDonald’s parking lot. While there, I noticed an elderly man acting disoriented. He got into his truck and began smashing into parked vehicles. I ran up to his truck, reached through the window, put the truck into park, shut off the engine, and took the keys. I asked the gentleman if he had diabetes, and he nodded ‘yes.’ Witnesses had already called 911, and the police and paramedics arrived shortly after. I communicated the man’s condition to them. Thankfully, no one was injured.
3. If you could invent a new safety gadget or tool, what would it be?
An airbag that encapsulates a person in the event of a fall, eliminating the leading causes of serious injury or death.
4. What’s your favorite safety slogan or motto?
“Live safe or die.”
5. Do you have any quirky habits or rituals related to safety practices?
I’m always identifying potential hazards wherever I go. It’s just part of who I am.
6. If you were a safety mascot, what would your costume look like?
A gargoyle wearing all the proper PPE.
7. What’s your go-to method for reminding forgetful colleagues about safety procedures without being too serious?
I’d say, “What kind of wheels do you want on your wheelchair?”