As winter envelops the world in cold, snow, and ice, it becomes essential for drivers to remain vigilant. The frigid months can bring unexpected challenges, turning a routine drive into a difficult experience. Preparing a comprehensive emergency kit for your car is crucial for ensuring your safety, comfort, and peace of mind during winter travels. Here are eight essential items to include that will help you be ready for anything.

1. Stay Warm and Cozy
It’s vital to prioritize warmth in your emergency preparations. Be sure to pack extra blankets, gloves, hats, and hand warmers to keep yourself warm. If you find yourself stranded in cold conditions, these items will be lifesavers, offering much-needed comfort while you wait for help.

2. Lighting Essentials
In emergencies, having a reliable source of light is key. Always keep a flashlight with fresh batteries in your vehicle. This handy tool can illuminate the darkest moments and help signal for assistance when you need it most.

3. Versatile Emergency Tools
Ensure you have a multipurpose tool on hand, such as a Swiss Army knife or a comprehensive multi-tool. These handy devices are ideal for tackling various unexpected challenges, whether it’s making quick repairs or opening a can of food. They can truly be a lifesaver when the situation gets tough.

4. Sustenance: Food and Water
Stock up on non-perishable snacks such as energy bars, nuts, and dried fruits, along with plenty of bottled water. These provisions will keep you fueled and hydrated for hours should you find yourself stuck, helping you maintain your energy and spirits in critical moments.

5. Stay Connected
In today’s world, staying reachable is absolutely vital. Keep a portable phone charger, a fully charged power bank, and a backup cellphone in your vehicle. These devices guarantee that you can contact emergency services, even if your car battery runs low.

Every holiday season, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) brightens the state’s busy roadways with holiday-themed safety signs. These creative messages not only bring a dose of seasonal cheer to drivers but also serve as important reminders about safe driving practices.

This year, NJDOT has rolled out several humorous and pun-filled slogans aimed at raising awareness about reckless behaviors, including speeding, drunk driving, and distracted driving. One notable message, “The weather outside is frightful, but safe driving is so delightful,” captures the essence of the season while emphasizing the importance of caution on the roads.

With nine different festive safety messages rotating daily, NJDOT aims to ensure that safety remains at the forefront of drivers’ minds during this busy time of year. Other 2025 messages include:

• There’s no place like home for the holidays. Make it there safely!
• Don’t be a Grinch! Let them merge
• You’ll have a blue Christmas if you drive drunk
• Santa sees you when you’re texting…put down the phone!

NJDOT’s quirky messages have become a beloved tradition on New Jersey highways, promoting safer driving habits while fostering a sense of community.

This holiday season, let’s all embrace the spirited messages from NJDOT while committing to safety. Whether you’re heading home for the holidays or just traveling around town, remember: a little caution can prevent a lot of chaos.

Safe travels to all, and may your holiday season be filled with joy and laughter, both on the road and off.

The OAIMA Safety Awards highlight exceptional safety and health practices among its members in the Ohio aggregates industry. To achieve a Platinum Award, an operation must uphold the highest standards: a year without MSHA reportable or OSHA recordable injuries or illnesses, coupled with zero final MSHA significant and substantial (S&S) citations or serious OSHA violations. Furthermore, the operation must maintain a Violations Per Inspection Day (VPID) rate that falls below the national average for its type.

The following Gerken operations proudly received Platinum Awards:

• The Custar Stone Co.
• The Bluffton Stone Company
• Genoa Limestone, LLC
• Gerken Materials, Inc., West Millgrove Facility
• Gerken Materials, Inc., Paulding Facility

An Ongoing Commitment

At Gerken, safety transcends mere regulations; it is a core value woven into our company culture. As a multi-generation family business, we cherish our employees as family, prioritizing their safety for the well-being of their loved ones at home.

Gerken relentlessly pursues advancements in our safety programs, striving to surpass industry standards. Our dedicated HR and Safety managers rigorously monitor and uphold the integrity of the safety program. A testament to our unwavering commitment, esteemed organizations such as the Michigan Aggregates Association, MSHA, and the Black Swamp Safety Council have recognized Gerken’s dedication to safety.

Navigating the roads in inclement weather presents unique challenges, but knowing the laws designed to enhance road safety is vital for protecting yourself and others. In particular, Ohio and Michigan have specific regulations that mandate drivers to turn on their headlights whenever their windshield wipers are in use due to precipitation. Let’s delve deeper into the importance of these laws and what they mean for you as a driver.

In Ohio, the law, outlined in Ohio Revised Code Section 4513.03, explicitly requires drivers to activate their headlights whenever their windshield wipers are on due to rain, snow, or other forms of precipitation. That requirement extends not only to the headlights but also to the taillights and rear license plate lights, ensuring comprehensive visibility.

Michigan has a regulation that requires drivers to turn on their headlights whenever their windshield wipers are in use, regardless of the time of day. The rule acknowledges that poor visibility, caused by rain, snow, or fog, can significantly impair a driver’s ability to see clearly and be seen by others.

The reasoning behind these laws is clear and compelling: safety. In low-visibility conditions, such as rain, snow, sleet, or fog, activating your headlights is crucial for making your vehicle more visible to others on the road. When your headlights are on, you not only illuminate your vehicle’s front but also your taillights, making you significantly more visible to drivers approaching from behind.

Headlight laws are not merely about improving your own visibility; they are about ensuring that everyone on the road can recognize your presence. Enhanced visibility is fundamental in preventing accidents and creating safer driving conditions for all.

Both Ohio and Michigan have enacted these laws to achieve a single, critical goal: ensuring road safety during adverse weather conditions. As conscientious drivers, it’s imperative to abide by these regulations—not just to avoid potential fines, but to foster a safer environment for every traveler.

So, the next time you find yourself driving in rain or snow, remember to switch on your headlights. That simple action can have a significant impact on your safety and the safety of others.

As the construction industry continues to prioritize safety, the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) leads the way with its prestigious Excellence in Safety Awards. For 2025, the NRMCA Think First Safety Contest has once again showcased the exceptional commitment to safety practiced by ready-mix concrete plants across the nation.

The Excellence in Safety Awards Program is a robust three-tier system that recognizes the dedication of plants that have maintained stellar safety records. This year, the program evaluated facilities based on the latest incident rates from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), ensuring only the safest plants are honored. With the ready mix concrete industry’s incident rate reported at 4.10 as of October 2024, achieving excellence in safety is truly commendable.

The award tiers are defined as follows:

• Gold: Incident rate equal to zero
• Silver: Incident rate greater than zero but equal to or less than 2.05 (half the industry average)
• Bronze: Incident rate greater than 2.05 and less than 4.10

To determine these rates, NRMCA examines a plant’s OSHA 300A Log and calculates the incident rate based on injuries and illnesses per hour worked. The rigorous evaluation makes achieving these awards a true mark of excellence in safety practices.

NRMCA encourages all member companies to participate, urging them to submit safety performance data for all plants—not just the high performers. By sharing safety records, even for plants that may not win, the entire industry benefits from valuable benchmarking information, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Among the winners, The Gerken Companies stands out with multiple Gold awards. The honored plants have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to maintaining incident rates lower than the national average.

M&R Ready Mix, Inc.
McClure
Pettisville
Stoney Ridge

Williams Concrete, Inc.
Maumee

Kuhlman Corporation
Monroe

These plants exemplify the highest safety standards in our industry, and their achievements inspire others.

The safety achievements reflect the hard work and dedication of countless individuals who prioritize the well-being of their colleagues. The contributions of every plant that entered the contest are vital, as they collectively enhance the focus on safety within the industry.

As we celebrate these winners, let us keep pushing for improvements and adaptations that lead to safer workplaces. Reducing incident rates will ultimately strengthen our industry and ensure that safety remains a top priority at Gerken. Here’s to a safer future for everyone.

Check out the complete list of 2025 NRMCA Think First Safety Contest winners here.

Safety and efficiency are paramount in road construction. At The Gerken Companies, we’ve adopted innovative methods to streamline our operations, one of the most effective of which is the use of pusher trucks.

A pusher truck is a specialized vehicle designed to aid in the placement and retrieval of traffic cones, barrels, and other traffic control devices. Essential during lane closures and maintenance operations, the trucks ensure that safety is always the top priority for both workers and motorists.

Safety First

“By utilizing pusher trucks, we can eliminate the need to put team members in close proximity to live traffic, dramatically reducing the risk of accidents and injuries,” says Rob Myers, Traffic Supervisor for Roadway Services, Inc.

With pusher trucks, workers can deploy and retrieve cones and barrels from a safe distance, letting them focus on the task without the constant threat of oncoming traffic.

Efficiency is another key benefit of incorporating pusher trucks into our workflow. Deploying a two-mile zone traditionally takes about an hour if workers manually walk out the cones. However, with a pusher truck, Roadway Services can accomplish the same task in roughly 20 minutes. That lightning-fast speed not only conserves labor costs but also minimizes traffic disruptions, providing a smoother experience for drivers on the road.

Today’s pusher trucks come equipped with advanced cone placement and retrieval systems. Crews can automatically deploy cones at regular intervals as the truck moves through a work zone and retrieve them with ease later. Features such as flashing lights and arrow boards alert motorists of upcoming work zones, further enhancing safety.

“We now have three trucks with varying capabilities,” reports Rob. “They make setting up work zones much safer for our teams. The efficiency is just an added benefit.”

The integration of pusher trucks into our road construction practices demonstrates Gerken’s commitment to safety and efficiency. By embracing innovative technologies to reduce risks and streamline operations, we can conduct highway maintenance with the utmost care for both our workers and the driving public.

When existing incident reporting platforms fell short of The Gerken Companies’ needs, our Safety and IT teams developed our own in-house solution. The Gerken Incident Reporting App enables users to quickly and easily document details about workplace incidents, near misses, or safety concerns. A key feature of the app is that users can report incidents from anywhere using their mobile devices, which is especially beneficial for fieldwork.

Built on Microsoft Forms, the app enables users to upload photos and other documentation as part of their reports. Incident reports are submitted and tracked in real-time, facilitating faster responses and resolutions.

“By streamlining the incident reporting process, Gerken’s safety team can more quickly identify and address potential hazards,” said Jared Clum.

Utilizing the Incident Reporting App allows Gerken team members to enhance our safety practices, optimize the incident management process, and contribute to a safer work environment.

“I think it’s worth noting that we initiated this project in response to employee feedback,” says Joe St. John, Environmental, Health & Safety Director. “They requested a user-friendly digital solution for reporting incidents efficiently from their mobile devices instead of relying on paper forms and emails.”

National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) is an annual initiative aimed at promoting safe driving through highway work zones. Hosted by the North Carolina Department of Transportation, this year’s campaign took place from April 21 to April 25, marking the beginning of the construction season. The week-long observance emphasizes the serious dangers associated with inattention in roadway work areas.

As part of our annual efforts, The Gerken Companies utilized this week to raise awareness about work zone safety. We kicked off the week by sharing images of our work teams holding a banner featuring this year’s theme, “Respect the zone so we all get home,” on social media.

On Wednesday, April 23, Gerken employees participated in Go Orange Day to honor those who have lost loved ones in work zone accidents. Team members across the company submitted (and posted on People Are Everything) photos of themselves wearing orange apparel, which we compiled into a special video. Those submitting a picture will receive a special orange Gerken T-shirt.

On Friday, April 25, team members observed a moment of silence at noon to pay tribute to those who have lost their lives in work zone incidents.

To learn more about Gerken’s commitment to providing safe working conditions for all employees, please visit our Safety page.

National Work Zone Awareness Week, which takes place this year from April 21-25, is a timely reminder of the importance of safety in and around roadway work zones. This year’s theme, “Respect the zone so we all get home,” encapsulates a simple yet powerful message that resonates with motorists, pedestrians, and roadway workers alike.

For over 20 years, Work Zone Awareness Week has served as a crucial public awareness campaign to foster a culture of safety in work zones. It encourages us to take personal responsibility for the safety of not only those working on our roads but also our fellow travelers.

The Urgency of Safety

Work Zone Awareness Week began in 1997 when Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) employees decided that awareness surrounding work zone safety needed a dedicated focus. Before long, the idea gained traction, and the first national awareness campaign launched in 2000. The coalition, initiated by VDOT, the American Traffic Safety Services Association, the Federal Highway Administration, and the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials, has impacted how motorists view and interact with roadway construction and maintenance efforts.

The statistics related to work zone safety are alarming. In 2022 alone, there were 821 fatal crashes in work zones, resulting in 891 deaths. Among these tragedies, 94 were roadway workers who lost their lives while doing their jobs. Those numbers highlight the pressing need for increased awareness and compliance with safety protocols around work zones.

Work Zone Awareness Week encourages us to recognize these figures and act. Participating in the annual awareness campaign helps make our roadways safer for everyone.

Get Involved

This year, there are several ways for individuals and organizations to participate.

• Go Orange Day on April 23: Wear orange to represent your commitment to work zone safety. It’s a simple gesture that can ignite conversations about the importance of this week. Don’t forget to share your photos on social media using the hashtags #NWZAW and #GoOrange4Safety.
• Moment of Silence on April 25: Take a moment to honor those who have lost their lives in work zone incidents. Reflecting on these losses can deepen our commitment to safety on our roadways.
• Get Informed: Various state departments of transportation, federal agencies, and organizations will be sharing public service announcements and hosting events to promote work zone safety. Engage with these resources and encourage others to do the same.

The most vital takeaway from Work Zone Awareness Week is that safety is a shared responsibility. Your actions matter whether you’re behind the wheel or working on a road crew. So let’s work together to respect the zone and ensure everyone—workers and drivers alike—gets home safely.

To learn more about Work Zone Awareness Week and how to get involved, visit nwzaw.org.