Ogden, Utah, April 7, 2017:  Staker Parson Companies was notified today that it has won the Best of State Award for the 14^th year in a row.

Best of State recognizes the people, organizations, and businesses that are achieving, innovating, and improving the quality of life in Utah. Fifty percent of the possible points are for overall achievement and excellence in service, products, or performance – including financial performance where applicable. Another thirty percent is for innovation, creativity, and differentiation, and the remaining twenty percent is for contributions that make Utah a better place to live. In every category, there are numerous ways to show that a nominee measured up to the Best of State motto, “Excelling and Surpassing All Else.” ®

For over 60 years, Staker Parson Companies has worked to be The Preferred Source of quality sand, rock & landscape products, ready-mixed concrete, asphalt, paving, and construction serving a wide variety of contractors, businesses, government agencies, municipalities, and homeowners. The company has been recognized by numerous organizations for its commitment to safety, quality, and innovation.  It’s not always about work though. The family of employees at Staker Parson Companies recognize their responsibility to help build the foundation of the communities where they live and work. Employees are encouraged to be involved in community and volunteer activities and the company supports many worthy causes including the Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, homeless shelters, Sub 4 Santa, and assisted living centers.

As a leader in the aggregates, asphalt, and ready-mixed concrete industry, Staker Parson Companies is committed to educating the community about the vital role aggregate resources provide in improving quality of life. For this reason, the company developed an educational program called “Rocks Build Our World.” This program is designed to introduce people to the aggregates industry with the goal of helping people understand the importance of these natural resources and how they relate to each of us in our everyday lives.  “Staker Parson Companies employees not only work hard at work but enjoy working hard for the community,” said Scott Parson, Staker Parson Companies President. I am proud of our company culture and the employees who work so hard every day to make awards like this possible.

The post STAKER PARSON COMPANIES WINS UTAH BEST OF STATE AWARD 14TH YEAR IN A ROW! appeared first on Staker Parson.

Want to create a garden oasis, but don’t know where to start? Let’s explore basic landscaping tips and tricks to consider before getting your hands dirty.

Design Ideas- The Elements

Shapes

Lines are a designer’s best friend, so it should come as no surprise that shapes can help liven your outdoor design. You should consider the layout of your home before deciding what shapes to use. Start with the lawn. Creating curves to a large lawn can create a natural, calming landscape while curves on a small lawn can come across as harsh. Look at your yard and imagine how the space would look with say a square garden, an oval island, or could you create another interesting shape to spark interest in an area otherwise lacking intrigue?

Colors

Color- whether it’s plants, products, or decorations- the color impacts the feel of your landscaping space. Is there a part of your lawn you want to showcase? Did you make room for a lounging area where you plan on relaxing? Having a basic understanding on color theory and how it relates to gardening and landscapes can help you achieve the aesthetic look you’re going for.

Themes

Add personality to your outdoor space by coming up with a unique theme. The possibilities on this are endless. Don’t feel limited by decorations you see in the store, either. You can use recycled materials to create your own theme design. Also, simple items become interesting when you group them together into a collection.

Dimension

Levels create dimension, texture, and enhance space. Raised flower beds, rock boarders, steps, etc. can help you avoid too much flat space that can appear boring and lacking points of interest.

Paths

Adding paths throughout your gardening and outdoor space can make it easier to navigate, while adding a decorative area of interest. This is another chance to incorporate lines and shapes into your design. A winding path, for instance, can make for a whimsical feel within your flower garden.

Tips

Cleaning

Keeping your yard well maintained is a basic in aesthetic presentation, but how often do you “deep clean” outside? Taking the time out to examine where you can spruce up your space by doing things like cleaning concrete sidewalks and walkways can really take your yard design to the next level.

Safety

The worst way to spend your free-time has got to be an emergency visit to the doctor. Prepare in advance. Ensure that you have any safety equipment that you might need handy, keep harmful chemicals in a secure location, allow plenty of time to complete each project – rushing things can easily lead to a mishap, and also be sure to read all instructions before using new equipment and products.

Water Saving Tips

Did you know that longer grass keeps water from evaporating as much? Small changes to your routine such as mowing your lawn less and not watering on windy days can cut down on your outside water usage and help avoid hefty usage bills.

Xeriscaping. Not only does it cut your water usage drastically, but it comes with the added benefit of low-maintenance for those of us who don’t have as much time on our hands to spend in the yard as we’d need for the typical grassy landscape.

Map it out

Sketch a plan and bring it to life! This is your chance to daydream and consider the possibilities for your own backyard paradise. You can revisit your plan and sketches and decide what features you want to add, or remove. Take it a step further by visiting a landscape center and picking landscape products that match your vision.

The post Basic Landscaping Ideas, Tips & Tricks appeared first on Staker Parson.

Believe it or not, you can significantly increase asphalt lifespan by simply maintaining it yourself, keeping an eye out for distress, and making simple fixes before they become a serious problem. It is a much more cost effective idea to maintain your asphalt, rather than “letting it go” and having to replace it too soon.

Easy Maintenance Tips

Keep it clear

Edge the driveway to keep grass and weeds from growing on the asphalt. Plants create cracks and cracks invite moisture into the material, opening it up to permanent damage.

One of the most important things to keep in mind is to avoid water as much as possible. Water distresses the asphalt. The asphalt should be crack sealed regularly to keep the roadways as waterproof as possible.

Keep it clean! It prevents cracks and damage, and looks more presentable. Oil will cause problems the same way that water does, so try keeping those spots cleaned up (and again, it is prettier to keep it clean, anyway.)

Self-Repair

Regularly check for cracks and stress on the pavement.  Filling them as soon as you come across a crack will help extend the life of your asphalt.

Be sure to clean the surface thoroughly before attempting any repairs. Repair small holes using cold asphalt repair mix. Seal the asphalt with asphalt sealer regularly (once a month, depending on the conditions where you live).

Seal Coat and Crack/Chip Seal

The first few years after having asphalt laid, you should not need to seal coat unless the area is subject to a lot of water that isn’t draining properly. The best time to seal the asphalt is during the summer months. Chip seals increase the life of your asphalt because they protect from moisture and seal small cracks. There are many things to consider, but in general, crack sealing lasts between 3-8 years.

Small “hairline” cracks cannot be crack sealed properly. If you are noticing a lot of small cracks in your pavement, there are other sealing options available for them such as slurry, sand, chip, or fog seal.

The change in seasons does affect the size of the holes that need to be crack sealed. Unlike seal coat, crack seal is most effective when done during the spring or fall.

Deep potholes can be patched. Potholes need to be taken care of in a timely matter, or else water could get in the pothole and cause further damage that may be too severe to fix without replacing the pavement. If the patch is only on the surface, it is considered a temporary fix, but deep patches are permanent.

More Than a “Simple Fix”

When the asphalt reaches deterioration to the extent that you cannot just fill or seal the hole, it may be time to consider replacing it.

If you have any question as to what can be done with your asphalt driveway, road, or parking lot the best idea is to call and have an estimator look over the area of question. Be sure to speak clearly to the estimator about what your concerns are. Keep in mind if you are more concerned about functionality than appearance, the options may be different.

The post Asphalt Maintenance for Commercial Businesses appeared first on Staker Parson.

Want to keep your concrete looking brand new? Lucky for you, you can. Concrete is one of the most durable and effective materials, but it is susceptible to cracking and fading during harsh conditions like extreme summer temperatures. The good news is that you can pro-long the lifespan of your concrete by taking care of it with these easy maintenance tips.

Concrete shrinks and expands with changes in temperature and moisture. During the summer months, concrete tends to expand as the temperature rises during the daytime and reverts back to the normal size as it cools, causing cracks.

Whether you are worried about the concrete on your patio, sidewalk, or driveway the maintenance is virtually the same. The main difference to consider is the amount of traffic the area in question gets. Higher traffic areas will need to be treated to some TLC more regularly than low-traffic areas.

Cleaning and sealing

Cleaning and sealing are the two best things you can do to maintain your concrete. It’s best to purchase sealer from concrete suppliers, or hardware stores, and follow the instructions on the product.

Cleaning- first rinse the surface with a hose or pressure washer, then you can apply a bit of soap and scrub the dirt off with a brush/broom, thoroughly rinse all of the soap off, and be sure to wait for the surface to dry completely before applying any treatments.

You can apply sealer once the concrete has dried completely. You should apply sealer when the temperature is between approximately 55-90 degrees (typically the early morning or late evening during the summer months). After the first coat has dried, feel free to apply a second coat if desired. Typically, it’s a good rule of thumb to reseal concrete every two years, or once you begin to see signs of wear and tear.

Sealant helps prevent stains, but you should still be cleaning the spots as soon as they appear. Regularly “hose off” the concrete for basic cleaning. Once a year, you should clean the surface using a concrete cleaner.

Fading

Concrete can fade due to harsh sun conditions during the summer months. While sealant helps, it’s not a bad idea to put up an awning, or use outdoor rugs in areas that are in direct sunlight during extreme temperatures. Rugs can be used for a sense of design and comfort as well, so if you go this route there are plenty of options to fit your style.

Concrete professionals can repair cracks effectively by sealing and using other advanced techniques. If you have questions, the best bet is to contact a professional for further advice and options.

The post Summer Concrete Care Tips appeared first on Staker Parson.

Now that you’ve had your fun celebrating our Nation’s Independence, if you kept the excitement close to home- you may be noticing a bunch of unsightly spots and stains on your concrete. Here are some tips for cleaning firework residue that we hope you find useful!

Good news, sometimes sunshine can act as a natural bleach and clean concrete stains without you having to lift a finger. The sun mixed with natural elements like rain will probably return your driveway or sidewalk back to normal with time.

If you want the spots gone now and they aren’t that bad, you can try to remove them with dish soap, or washing soda and water. Just pour some of the liquid together with water and then let it soak into the burnt exterior for about 10 minutes before scrubbing.

If the spots are harder to remove, you can try using a diluted concrete-safe alkaline degreaser to help remove carbon based stains like the ones that appear after lighting off fireworks. First sweep the surface well, follow the directions on the cleaner, and scrub with a brush or broom before rinsing. You can repeat this process a few times, if the initial wash doesn’t completely remove the stain.

You can also scrub the area with a small amount of bleach (a 3:1 water ratio is recommended) and then rinse the chemical off. Be careful not to get the bleach on any plants that you want to keep alive, though as bleach can be used as a weed killer.

If you want to avoid the chemicals altogether, you can pressure wash the surface to clean the concrete. Just be careful to keep about a foot away from the concrete surface to avoid chipping.

Next year, you can plan to prevent stains from fireworks by lighting them off on another surface, like a wet piece of plywood, or a large rock that you don’t mind getting residue on. (Caution: don’t use paper, or other types of materials that are likely to catch fire.)

The post Removing Firework Residue from Concrete appeared first on Staker Parson.

As National Safety month comes to an end, safety remains a constant priority. In our business, safety is our number one concern. In 2016, the Oldcastle Materials West division worked approximately 6.6 million hours during the months of May through November. Zero Harm is our goal every day of the year. We are continuously making efforts to ensure that both our employees and the community are kept safe.

One area that can be challenging is ensuring that new employees work both competently and safely. In 2013, 45% of Occupational Safety and Health Administration OSHA incidents involved new employees whom had worked one year or less with their current companies.

In order to overcome this statistic and achieve Zero Harm, we have developed scheduled 30, 60, and 90 day training sessions for new employees. The goal is to give each employee time to receive extended mentoring, coaching and feedback to help them integrate into our culture. We are a family of families, and it is our priority to help our new family members embrace our tradition of making safety our family business.

Another safety concern that we face daily is unfortunately one that we have little control over- work zone intrusions. The frequency that a work zone intrusion could occur is incredibly high with the number of employees who are working on projects combined with the number of vehicles that pass by those crews every day that could potentially intrude the work zone.

We do everything in our power to help avoid work zone intrusions. Some examples include: wearing high reflectivity personal protective clothing, strategically parking equipment to provide protection to our employees, use of positive protection traffic controls, use of impact attenuators to stop vehicles that may intrude a work zone, and more practices as they apply to each particular project.  In addition we attend many industry specific committee meetings to coordinate with peers and DOTs to identify and share improving practices to reduce our exposure to hazard of work zone intrusions.

Each member of the community can take part to help avoid work zone intrusions. When you see road workers, drive like they’re your family- because they’re someone’s. Together we can achieve #ZeroHarm #KeepEachOtherSafe

The post National Safety month- Zero Harm appeared first on Staker Parson.

It’s that time of year again! The kids are heading back to school. Whether you feel relieved, or anxious, you can put your mind at ease by making safety a top priority. Review these tips with your kids to help keep them safe on the way to and from school.

Walking to School

Approximately 16,000 kids get hit by a car in the US every year. Teach your child to walk safely, pay attention, and to avoid distractions. Screens (cell phones, tablets, smart watches, etc.) should be put away while walking.

Children should not walk between parked cars, or areas where it could be difficult for drivers to see them. It’s not recommended that children under the age of 10 cross the street alone.

Teach your kids to stop before reaching the street, and look both ways before crossing. Your child should understand how to read traffic signs and hand signals before walking to school alone. Tell them to wait to cross the street until drivers have acknowledged them and given them the signal that it is OK for them to cross.

If your child rides a bike, check to make sure it is in working order and the correct size. Have them wear safety helmets that fit correctly.

Riding the Bus

Kids are three times as likely to be killed in a school bus accident while getting on or off the bus. Advise children to stand back until the driver opens the door.

Driving to School

Always make sure that everyone in the car is buckled up and remains buckled up until it’s time to exit the vehicle. Be a good example and wear your own seat belt. Kids learn by example and often imitate their parent’s actions.

If your kids are still in car seats, be sure to follow the state guidelines for their seats. Using car seats correctly can reduce the risk of death by 71 percent.

Follow the school drop-off and pick-up policies. If your child needs to cross the street to get to you when you’re picking them up, try to meet them on their side of the street and walk them safely across if there is not a crossing guard there to walk with them.

Slow down while driving and avoid distractions. School aged children are unpredictable. Be on high alert when traveling through a school zone. Our industry reminds our employees to GOAL – Get Out and Look. It applies just as much here as it does in the construction industry.  Looking twice, protects lives.

The speed limit within school zones should be 20 MPH. The chances of inflicting serious injury, or a fatality occurring, decreases significantly at 20 MPH and below. If your child’s school does not have a 20 MPH speed zone, you should contact the Department of Transportation to see about getting the speed limit changed.

The post Back to School Safety Tips appeared first on Staker Parson.

If you’re considering repairing or paving your driveway, you may ask yourself which material you should go with – concrete or asphalt? You really can’t go wrong, but there are certain benefits and disadvantages to either material. It’s really just a matter of deciding what will work best for you.

Pros and Cons

Asphalt and concrete have a lot of similarities. For instance, regardless of which one you choose, you will need a good base before getting started. Also, the material makeup of the two products are, surprisingly, virtually the same. The difference lies in the adhesive. Asphalt uses tar and concrete uses cement. The contrast between tar and cement is where the materials differ.

Tar is a cheaper material than cement, obviously making asphalt the cheaper option in the beginning. There are some disputes about which material is more cost-effective in the long run, because concrete typically lasts longer than asphalt.

A typical lifespan of a concrete driveway is around 30 years while an asphalt driveway is around 20. Keep in mind though that the lifespan could vary for either, depending on wear and tear, as well as upkeep. If concrete gets cracks and damage it is possible to seal, but will often need to be replaced. Asphalt, however, can easily be re-sealed in most cases if you get to the damage before the cracks get too deep. And while asphalt is easier to maintain, it usually requires maintenance more often than concrete does.

The weather in the area you live in may be a factor that helps you decide which one to go with. Concrete cracks under extreme cold and freezing temperatures. Concrete also suffers from exposure to salt. On the other hand, asphalt becomes soft in high heat and may split. If you live in an area that will have both extremes, asphalt tends to be the more flexible of the two.

Personal Preferences

Another consideration is that while asphalt is not as durable and needs to be resealed more often than concrete, asphalt is much easier to repair than concrete.

Ask yourself which you prefer – a material that needs less maintenance altogether, or a material that is easier to uphold with regular maintenance?

Aesthetics

Whether you prefer the basic look of concrete, or asphalt, most likely depends on your own taste and personal preferences. However, if you want a unique look, concrete has a wide variety of options as far as color and pattern. Asphalt has some options, but is pretty limited in comparison.

Regulations

If you live in a community that has a Home Owner’s Association, you may be required to choose one material or the other. There may also be other restrictions and permits required depending where you live. Be sure to find out before making a final decision. For more information, or to request a quote, consult a professional.

The post Concrete or Asphalt? appeared first on Staker Parson.

One advantage to concrete is that you have several options. Concrete can be a decorative, appealing element that enhances your outdoor space.

You can customize your concrete further by combining colored concrete with other techniques. For example, if you use a broom finish technique and/or concrete stamping you can add various patterns in order to have a unique, eye-catching look. You could even take it a step further and add designs to the concrete by sandblasting.

How it’s achieved

Colored concrete is achieved by adding natural mined pigments that have been manufactured in a chemical plant and added to the concrete. The color is not caused by a typical application such as a paint or dye.

The color that you add to the cement needs to be strong enough to overwhelm the original gray. The final color of the concrete will be the color that you get after mixing the colored concrete with the gray concrete.

The color shouldn’t fade. If you don’t regularly maintain your colored concrete it will change color. However the concrete care is virtually the same as with your typical gray concrete. The only real difference that you may notice is that you might have to clean and reseal it more often.

Colors

In order to get a really light shade of concrete you would need to mix it with white concrete, which is more expensive.

Water affects the color and permanently changes it.  Adding water usually makes the color lighter, which is why it’s important not to use water if colored concrete is drying too quickly. Instead a “surface evaporative control agent” should be used.

Another thing to consider is that concrete is not always the same shade of gray, and can, in fact, vary in color. In order to keep the concrete as consistent as possible it is important to use the same company and supplier throughout your project.

To keep a consistent appearance, use a colored curing compound that matches all of the batches of concrete that will be used in the same project.

Tips

Normal concrete problems will probably look much worse and exacerbated in colored concrete. It’s easier to ignore small issues with a typical pour, but imperfections become more apparent when using colored concrete.

One colored concrete idea is to add a darker tint and sandblast the concrete to expose the aggregate. Doing this can help diminish the appearance of oil and grease stains in driveways and parking lots.

Colored concrete is also often used as a landscaping technique to help features blend in better with nature. The standard gray color can draw unwanted attention, but if you using a colored concrete that looks similar to the surroundings can create a softer, more subtle effect.

The post Colored Concrete appeared first on Staker Parson.

You’ve probably realized by now that your landscaping options are endless. One dependable material that gives you multiple choices, including customizable options is concrete. Let’s delve into the world of landscaping with concrete and explore some of the options.

Borders and curbing

Concrete is one of the most sustainable materials you can use for your landscaping needs. If you want to add some decorative elements to your flower beds, or create borders along your landscape that won’t regularly need to be replaced – concrete it the way to go. And again, it allows for more customization if that’s what you are interested in.

Borders also help stop weeds and unwanted plants from joining your flower beds. Stamped concrete borders can be designed to have the appearance of brick or stone, if desired.

Stamped concrete

Stamped concrete is a beautiful, decorative way to help enhance your landscape. Stamped concrete is completely customizable. Use colored concrete to compliment the look further.

Retaining walls

Many people build retaining walls to place strategically around outdoor seating areas for social events near patios, decks, fire pits, etc. Retaining walls can also be used as a focal point, fence/privacy, or just as an attractive visual.

There are a lot of reasons you may want a retaining wall. To name a few, retaining walls offer ground control, they can help act as a barrier, they can help protect against erosion, and they can help with draining excess water.

Pavers

One great idea is making your patio out of concrete pavers. Pavers are easy to maintain, because you only have to worry about replacing each paver as it gets damaged, instead of having to worry about staining, sealing, or repairing the whole patio.

You can use pavers in virtually all the same scenarios as concrete, but there are some advantages to using traditional concrete over larger areas.

Exposed aggregate

Exposed aggregate gives a unique, natural look to any area. Exposed aggregate is one of the more common landscaping materials used in patios. The rock in the concrete gives off more of a design than traditional concrete, while being a durable material. Keep it in mind for garden pathways to give them an earthier feel.

For more decorative concrete ideas, or to receive a quote, consult a professional to explore what will work best for your landscape.

The post Landscaping with Concrete appeared first on Staker Parson.

Ogden, Utah September 15, 2017: Staker Parson Companies received an Award of Merit from the Utah Safety Council for outstanding safety performance.

“It is a great honor to achieve these awards and it shows that safe production from our employees across our family of families is paramount to what we do here at Staker Parson Companies,” Region Safety Manager Dan Arnoldson said.  “We continue to improve and innovate, pushing ourselves to our goal of Zero Harm.”

Staker Parson Companies was ranked off of their three year incident report using their Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Injury Information. Staker Parson Companies successfully achieved sustaining an incident rate that is below the national average, which was a key element to winning this award. The organization also demonstrated improvement and sustained an excellent record, as required.

Staker Parson Companies also met all other Safety program requirements. The requirements included (but weren’t limited to) holding quarterly safety meetings, having and following a safety and health program with a regular review, having a written plan, performing regular inspections, providing employee safety training on all OSHA-required topics, and not sustaining any work-related fatalities during the three year time frame.

The post STAKER PARSON COMPANIES RECEIVES AWARD OF MERIT FROM UTAH SAFETY COUNCIL appeared first on Staker Parson.

Brigham City, Utah September 21, 2017: Staker Parson Companies joined a Utah Department of Transportation Zero Fatalities Truck Smart presentation at the Box Elder High School, Wednesday. The Truck Smart program educates drivers about the impact the trucking industry has on the economy and stresses that truck drivers need the community to drive safely around them to avoid crashes and fatalities on the road.

UDOT employee Katie “the truck lady” Lindley, teaches driver education students across Utah how to be Truck Smart. In Utah, 25 percent of vehicles on the road are large trucks, while most other states only have around 13 percent.

“I love this program,” Lindley said. “What I like the most is the look on the kids’ faces when they get in the truck and they try to find the car that they know is there, and they can’t see it anymore. That lightbulb clicks on their face as they realize “Oh, I shouldn’t be driving there.” I [also] love giving them the idea that we need trucks for everything. People don’t realize that our economy runs our life and if the trucks stop, life stops. It’s fun to be with the students, and talk to them, and teach them things that could save their life.”

Activities included a first-hand learning experience where the students had the opportunity to sit in a Staker Parson Companies truck and pup to find its blind spots, a Q and A with Staker Parson Companies Driver Mentor Tyler Petersen, a pre and post-lesson quiz, and learning videos.

“I think Staker Parson being involved is very important,” Petersen said. “We’ve got a lot of trucks on the road and are a local company. If we can support what they are trying to teach in the class, and the students can see that the drivers are trying to be safe then they can apply what they are being taught.”

“What I thought was surprising was how wide the blind spots were,” Caitlin Schnurstein, a student present during the Truck Smart presentation said. “I didn’t really know that the blind spots were that large. Some things I had knowledge coming into this. Like, yeah, don’t cut trucks off, but I didn’t know you had to keep a car length for every ten miles per hour. I thought it was generally just three car lengths in general, which is definitely not enough on the interstate.”

“The program is awesome and it rocks,” Lindley said. “We have a lot of fun with it.  We want to get the word out to everyone, not just high school students. We want everyone to be safe. This is just the starting point, the newest drivers on the road. If we can change behaviors through them, hopefully the future generations will be able to see that everyone needs to know how to drive safe around big rigs.”

The post STAKER PARSON COMPANIES TEACHES STUDENTS HOW TO BE TRUCK SMART appeared first on Staker Parson.

Staker Parson Companies is supporting local refugees by joining forces with the non-profit organization Refugee Soccer during an event held Saturday at 17^th South River Park. The community is invited to come watch soccer and visit the Staker Parson Companies booth for a free FatBoy ice cream sandwich. Playoff matches will be held at 3:30 PM and 5:30 PM on the fields. The address is 1150 West 1700 South, Salt Lake City, Utah.

“The vision of Refugee Soccer is to connect the large refugee community here with the mainstream business and soccer communities in order to remove barriers and enrich the lives of both sides of an unnecessary line that we hope will soon be erased,” Refugee Soccer founder Adam Miles said. “We are so happy to have the support of Staker Parson and know it will help the lives of dozens of our refugee neighbors and inspire hundreds more.”

Staker Parson has made a financial commitment to support the Refugee Soccer program this year and is looking to hire hard-working, reliable refugees who are interested in seeking employment. Staker Parson Companies will have representatives on site to discuss the company and talk with refugees about available career opportunities during the Adult Refugee Soccer League playoff matches.

“We are excited to be a part of this event to support our communities and the people who live there by providing them a great employment opportunity” Tina Olson, Staker Parson Companies Recruiting Coordinator said.

The post STAKER PARSON COMPANIES SUPPORTS REFUGEE SOCCER EFFORT appeared first on Staker Parson.

Be prepared on the road during a winter storm. Have an emergency kit handy and make sure it includes jumper cables, flashlights, and flares. You should also consider what you will need if you get stuck in the snow. Think it through and make a plan.

Prepare your vehicle before hitting the road. You don’t want to end up in a sticky situation because your wiper blades aren’t working, or your tire doesn’t have enough tread. Check your vehicle regularly and perform routine maintenance. Fuel up! Keep your gas tank at least half way full to avoid freezing.

Take your time. The numbers make it clear that speeding and poor weather conditions are a dangerous combination. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “Speeding was a factor for 17 percent of the fatalities on dry roads in 2015, 21 percent of those on wet roads, 34 percent when there was snow or slush on the road, and 43 percent of drivers involved in fatal crashes that occurred on roads with ice or frost.”

Accelerate and break slowly. If you move too fast, you risk sliding on slippery roads. Slow is safe.  You may think that you’re okay to drive faster if you have all wheel drive, but your stop time will still be significantly longer in poor conditions.

Increase your following time to the point that you are capable of breaking with ease. It takes a lot longer to stop when the roads are slick, and the cars in front of you are more likely to have a reason to stop suddenly. Don’t risk it.

Drive according to the weather. If the conditions involve low-visibility, ice, snow, or rain slow down and be alert to the traffic around you.

Always protect yourself and your passengers by wearing your seat belt and ensuring everyone is buckled before leaving. Follow all safety guidelines for your children’s’ car seats. The best way to avoid an accident, is to prevent one from happening.  Don’t drive drowsy. Stop to rest if you begin feeling fatigued. And it should go without saying, but don’t drink and drive. Be sure to find a designated driver before drinking alcohol.

Fog

If you hit a foggy area with low visibility, quickly switch your lights to the fog setting. It’s also a good idea to lightly tap the breaks a few times to warn any cars behind you to increase their following distance.

Rain

Again, slow down. Speeding during a rain storm can make you lose control and hydroplane. If you do hydroplane, remain calm and slow down (without slamming on the breaks) until you regain control. If you run through a thick puddle of water, feathering the breaks helps to air them out.

Other Tips

Don’t use your cruise control in winter weather conditions.

Always be wary and consider the possibility of black ice. It’s almost impossible to spot it until it’s too late.

Avoid hitting the breaks abruptly, or as you turn. Instead, lightly tap the break as needed, coasting as much as possible to keep from spinning out. You are more likely to lose control of your vehicle while breaking because the wheels stop and momentum can take over. If you do lose control, take your foot off the break and gas and turn the wheel in the direction of the skid if possible. The car will likely correct itself back into a straight position.

The post Safe Winter Driving Tips appeared first on Staker Parson.

In a previous blog, we discussed how to maintain concrete during harsh summer temperatures, but harsh winter temperatures and snow removal can also deteriorate concrete. These winter concrete care tips will help you avoid expensive repairs and untimely concrete replacement.

First of all, it is important to keep the snow shoveled off of your concrete as much as possible. Doing this decreases the likelihood that the snow will compact and freeze, which makes it less likely that the concrete will freeze and develop damage.

Check for cracks, and repair them as soon as possible. Although concrete seems like a solid material, it actually absorbs water like a sponge. If there are cracks in the concrete, they will soak up the water even more. Once it freezes, the concrete expands (the same way a sponge would) and creates further cracking and spalling. This is another reason to stress the importance of up-keeping your concrete and having it sealed regularly. Damage appears more drastically in decorative and colored concrete, so it is even more important to perform routine maintenance on these surfaces. Concrete should be resealed every few years, and all noticeable cracks should be sealed as soon as they appear.

Avoid using salt on your concrete as much as possible. Salt can be absorbed in the cracks of the concrete and cause deterioration. Salt and other deicing chemicals can actually help concrete store moisture, instead of keeping it dry. The salt can also create a chemical reaction with the concrete components and wreak havoc. New concrete is especially susceptible to damage. If your concrete is less than a year old, you should especially work on eliminating the use of deicing chemicals. Instead of using salt, you could pour gravel, sand or a similar material on the concrete to help provide more traction on walkways. If you do use salt, try to shovel it as soon as it has started working before the concrete soaks it up into the cracks.

Contrary to popular belief, concrete work can be done in the winter months. The contractor just has to make special considerations given the colder temperatures. If you need a concrete project during the winter months or need to make a repair, consult a professional for more information.

The post Winter Concrete Care Tips appeared first on Staker Parson.

Although asphalt should be laid in warmer weather and hot-mixed asphalt plants don’t typically run during the winter season, asphalt maintenance should be a year-long job.

Before winter sets in you should inspect all areas of your asphalt for cracks and damage. Clean your asphalt well and do a thorough walk around. It’s a good idea to call a professional to come look at the asphalt if you are unsure, because an expert may catch conditions that the untrained eye might miss. A key component to making your asphalt last is fixing problems before they have the opportunity to become major issues that could lead to potentially premature and costly replacements. Minor cracks in the material aren’t necessarily bad, but during the winter when it starts getting wet outside the cracks can soak up the moisture, which creates problems. If water seeps into the cracks and it is cold enough outside to freeze, it will expand and make the asphalt relax once the ice melts. This process will create potholes over time. Prevention is the best method to avoid costly repairs. If you seal the cracks from the start it will help to keep water from penetrating the asphalt and wreaking havoc.

It’s important to make sure that your driveway has proper drainage. Any area that has asphalt or concrete needs correct water runoff to handle excess water, or it will get damaged. You should also avoid placing your gutter where the runoff will land on the asphalt. Not only could it damage your asphalt, but it could pose a safety hazard due to ice accumulation.

Snow and Snow Removal

Shovel snow as quickly as you can after it falls. Standing water, snow and ice are not your friend when it comes to asphalt maintenance. Water pooling on top of asphalt is usually a sign of an upcoming pothole. A plastic shovel is usually safer to use on asphalt. Metal and other sharp shovel edges can scratch asphalt surfaces, or snag on existing cracks and make them worse.  If you are removing snow from a large surface like a parking lot, you should consider hiring a professional to keep it plowed.

Avoid using salt. Salt often does more damage than good. If you insist on using salt, it’s better to use magnesium chloride, or potassium chloride, as they are moderately less harmful. Shovel any excess deicing product to protect the asphalt from harsh chemicals.

You may want to consider marking the curb of your driveway so that snowplows know to avoid the area. Snowplows, and sometimes even shovels, can create problems on the surface of asphalt.

The post Winter Asphalt Care Tips appeared first on Staker Parson.

Bridging the Gap is a mobile distribution program that visits schools to provide low-income students with two grocery bags full of food to help them “bridge the gap” between school meals during the weekend. We are proud to have the opportunity to be involved! A special thank you to Catholic Community Services of Utah for allowing us to help! Staker Parson Companies volunteers had a lot of fun joining Bridging the Gap of Northern Utah at a Weber school district elementary school and hope to continue volunteering time in the future.

The post Bridging the Gap appeared first on Staker Parson.

ag∙gre∙gate noun– Geology. (Of a rock) consisting of a mixture of minerals separable by mechanical means.

Aggregates have been used as a building material since ancient times! The aggregate industry began to boom with the introduction of the automobile in the early 1900s as the need for roads paved with asphalt and concrete grew. Aggregates literally build your community. The average school is built using approximately 15k tons of aggregates. Almost every construction project utilizes aggregates, regardless of whether it’s a building, residential, commercial or industrial project. Ground aggregates are even used in household items like toothpaste, cleansers, cosmetics and more!

The word aggregate refers to mineral based materials. Examples of aggregates are typical things you would find in a landscape center such as sand, rocks, boulders, gravel, etc. These materials bind together with other ingredients to create asphalt and concrete, which are also considered aggregates.

Aggregates that are derived from natural sources typically come from three different rock types: igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic. The mineral properties of the aggregate determine the appearance of the rock and also help determine its capabilities, including if and how it can be used for paving. Manufactured rock comes from specialty rock and industrial byproducts. Chemical properties are important if the aggregate is being used as a paving material. Aggregates contain different chemical properties that help determine what each specific aggregate will be used for.

Aggregates are typically produced by rock quarry blasting. Rocks are then filtered using screens and crushers and sometimes washed. Natural gravel and sand are usually dug out of quarries, or lakes and rivers.

Aggregates influence almost every aspect of concrete, which contains 60-75 percent total volume of aggregates. The type of aggregate used in the concrete mix will affect the concrete in almost every way- from color to durability, strength and so on. The concrete used for industrial floors, for instance, uses aggregates such as quartz and granite because these aggregates have a higher abrasion resistance and can handle heavy industrial traffic.

The roads you drive on daily were most likely produced using aggregate materials at a quarry located nearby, because aggregates are generally used within 50 miles from their place of extraction. From the parks we play in, to the roads we drive on, to the homes we live in – aggregates build our world.

The post Everything You Need to Know About Aggregates appeared first on Staker Parson.

“Do we get to drive the truck?” a Layton High School student asked excitedly at the beginning of the day. Staker Parson Companies Driver Mentor Tyler Petersen answer was (obviously) “No,” but he did inform the student that he would have a chance to sit in the big truck.

Katie “the Truck Lady” presented a UDOT Truck Smart learning experience for several Driver’s Education classes at the school. Tyler was happy to answer all of the students questions about driving a big truck during the presentation, and afterward he took them all outside to demonstrate the truck’s blind spots and “No-Zones” by using Katie’s parked car at the side of the truck as an example of how little a driver actually can see. Smiles quickly turned to expressions of shock once students realized that they could not see Katie’s car no matter how hard they strained to find it. This hands-on approach helps emphasize the importance of staying out of  trucks No-Zones.

Truck Smart visits several Utah High School Driver’s Education classes each year to encourage new drivers to be Truck Smart. Staker Parson Companies is proud to have the opportunity to help teach students by supplying a truck and driver when one is available to assist with the class demonstration. Learn more about how to drive Truck Safe.

The post Layton High Students Learn How to be Truck Smart appeared first on Staker Parson.

The Staker Parson Companies’ South region is celebrating an achievement of five million man-hours without a lost time injury.

“At Staker Parson Companies we value our colleagues as family members,” Chris Kinnersley Staker Parson Companies Vice President of Human Resources and Environmental Health and Safety said. “As family members, we work toward ZERO Harm performance.  We are so proud of our work families’ dedication to one another and themselves.  By living SEE (observations), STOP (courage and commitment) and DOing (Taking action) we are moving steadfastly toward our goal of producing and providing quality materials and services with ZERO Harm to our colleagues, community, environment and property! Again, we are so proud of this team’s example and accomplishment.”

The post STAKER PARSON COMPANIES CELEBRATES FIVE MILLION HOURS INJURY FREE appeared first on Staker Parson.