Written on May 25, 2011 at 8:44 pm
Ogden, UTAH—62 fourth graders sit anxiously on the edge of their chairs and answer questions as Staker Parson employee Lisa Nielson asks them to name the three rock types and tell her how many surface mines there are in the US. The students have just watched a video about mining. Next, they will try on personal protective equipment, use a screen to separate rock sizes and mix up a little batch of concrete.
Nielson, along with several other Staker Parson employees, have presented the Rocks Build Our World program to over 2,000 Utah elementary school students this year alone. “It’s been a wonderful experience for me to teach the students about rocks, mining and reclamation,” Nielson said. “We have the chance to expose kids to different subjects and help them get excited about something they may not have been excited about before.”
After a discussion about the importance of mine safety, each student is given a chance to try their hands at mining. They use mining money to purchase tools (toothpicks or paper clips) and chocolate chip cookies. It’s a race to see who can “mine” the most chocolate chips using only the tools they purchase. Students are given one dollar for each clean chocolate chip they mine. Then they have one minute to reclaim their sites and are fined for any crumbs they have left behind after mining.
“The students see firsthand how important it to use your resources wisely,” Nielson said. “We are able to teach them that if you’re mining, you always clean up your site so you leave it looking better than you found it.” The students laugh as Nielson tells them to go home and practice reclaiming their rooms.
The presentation ends with the rock man dance: students spell ROCK to the tune of YMCA and compete to see if boys or girls are the better dancers. As the students collapse into their chairs, Neilson says, “If you learned something new about rocks, yell rock on!” The students jump as they exclaim, “Rock on!”
Written on April 20, 2011 at 8:48 pm
Ogden, UTAH—Utah’s rivers are running high and fast, creating serious flooding problems for many communities. Several levee breaches combined with an extreme amount of rainfall and runoff water along the Weber River in West Haven City put dozens of homes at risk for flooding. West Haven City called Staker Parson Companies and asked for any help they could give to help stop the flooding river.
Staker Parson immediately responded and donated close to 50 hours of truck time and 1500 tons of material to help with flood control. The sandbagging efforts proved successful and kept the water from causing serious damage to homes along the river.
Staker Parson wasn’t the only company that responded to the emergency: local competitors Geneva Rock and Granite Construction also responded by donating time and equipment. The three companies worked together to strengthen the community in a time of desperate need.
West Haven City Emergency Manager Stephanie Carlson sent Staker Parson a letter saying, “Thank you so much for all you and the crew at Staker Parson’s did to help stop the river. Without your help, West Haven would still be flooding, businesses would be suffering, and damage would be continuing to increase. Your efforts and generous donation made a very bad situation bearable and manageable. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Written on March 30, 2011 at 8:26 pm
Ogden, UTAH—The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) recently recognized Staker Parson Companies’ Beck Street hot mix asphalt lab as the 2010 Contractor Lab of the Year at the annual Utah asphalt convention. 2010 marks the third consecutive year that a Staker Parson Lab has won the award. Staker Parson’s Ogden asphalt lab was awarded second place, giving Staker Parson Companies first and second place.
UDOT recognizes hot mix asphalt labs that excel in performance of three categories: proficiency samples, quality manual and independent assurance.
Proficiency samples consist of aggregate, hot mix asphalt and soil tests. Tests are performed for each material category, then results are submitted to be compared with other accredited labs across the country. The quality manual houses records of equipment calibration and technician training in order to maintain AMRL Accreditation. Independent assurance is how well the technicians test results compare with other technicians from other companies.
Special thanks to the people responsible for the Beck Street Quality Control program: Jeff Warren, Jeff Collard, Jim Woodard, Sammy Lovato, Luke Peterson and Danny Lovato.
Written on March 14, 2011 at 9:36 pm
Ogden, UTAH—The National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) presented Staker Parson Companies the 2010 Sheldon G. Hayes Award, recognizing the Davis County Lane Gain project as the single best highway pavement project in the nation, at its 56 annual meeting held Feb. 9 in Orlando. Fla.
The Lane Gain project added an HOV lane in each direction of traffic on I-15 from the State Street overpass to the South Layton interchange (Exit 330). The project also provided a longer transition lane for traffic entering the freeway at the South Layton on-ramp, greatly improving the traffic safety in the area.
Hundreds of Utah residents drive the I-15 corridor daily and can attest to the traffic congestion that occurred in the Farmington/Layton area prior to adding additional lanes last year. Brandon LeFevre, South Wasatch general manager for Staker Parson Companies, also drives the stretch of I-15 regularly and took additional pride in overseeing the much-needed Lane Gain project.
LeFevre accepted the award for Staker Parson Companies at the meeting where NAPA aired a prepared congratulatory video message from Gov. Gary Herbert, who said, “Despite many obstacles, this winning project produced a smooth, durable pavement and provides one of the best rides in the Utah highway system. The State of Utah is very proud of Staker Parson Companies’ commitment to quality.”
The project was originally scheduled to be completed after Legacy Parkway. “We recognized that it would be unsatisfactory for motorists to drive into a road construction zone after enjoying the drive on the newly-completed Legacy Parkway,” said Scott Parson, president of Staker Parson Companies. “Through careful planning, collaboration and scheduling with all of the partners, including the Utah Department of Transportation and Parsons Brinckerhoff, we were able to complete our project ahead of schedule so that the projects opened simultaneously to the public.”
The Sheldon G. Hayes award winner is determined through a two-step process. First, the project must win a NAPA Quality in Construction Award based on how the road meets and exceeds specifications for hot-mix asphalt production, placement and compaction. The next year, the project may be considered for the Sheldon G. Hayes award. The project is again evaluated for its smoothness and visually inspected by an independent pavement consultant.
Written on January 28, 2011 at 3:35 pm
By Don A. Clem, P.E. (Colorado), Executive Director Portland Cement Association–Rocky Mountain Cement Council
Engineers at Spanish Fork City, Utah decided to explore an alternate construction process when faced with the reconstruction of 300 South from 700 East to 900 East. This particular stretch of roadway was requiring an increased amount of maintenance each winter. The city had estimated that the two-block reconstruction project (57,000 SF) would cost approximately $155,000. By specifying the full depth reclamation (FDR) process using portland cement as the stabilizer, the city realized an actual cost of $121,150, a savings of over 21 percent.
The project was originally scoped using conventional reconstruction of the existing roadway, which was in poor condition. Those plans called for removal of the existing structure and construction of a new eight inch aggregate base course with a three inch asphalt wearing surface. Trapper Burdick, Design Engineer, decided instead to investigate a new approach that involved reclaiming the existing road in place, stabilizing the reclaimed material with four percent portland cement (by weight of dry material), and capping the reclaimed base layer with a three inch asphalt wearing surface.
Burdick involved Spencer Guthrie, Ph.D., Brigham Young University (BYU), in design of the cement-treated layer and in development of the project specifications. The city was pleased when the project bid came in very close to the construction estimate and decided to proceed. The pavement section selected for construction using the reclamation process was three inches of an asphalt wearing course placed on eight inches of reclaimed, stabilized base. The cost per square yard for the reclamation was $9.40, including the cement. The contract was awarded to Staker Parson Companies.
Following the initial reclamation, the contractor pushed the reclaimed material to the side of the road and removed three to four inches of subgrade to make room for the new asphalt wearing course. About a week later, the cement slurry was placed using a slurry spreader that attached to the chute of a ready-mixed concrete truck. This spreader was developed by BYU in cooperation with John Coyle, Salt Lake City Corporation engineer, and the Portland Cement Association. After the slurry was mixed into the reclamation material, the base was compacted using a vibratory smooth drum compactor and then graded. Following a three day cure period, a vibratory roller was again used to microcrack the new cement-treated base layer to reduce the chance of reflective cracks developing in the asphalt wearing course in the future.
Reflecting on the project, Design Engineer Burdick opined that the project went very smoothly, exceeding his expectations. Further, Burdick was pleased that the FDR process cut truck traffic during the construction process, reducing pollution and wear and tear on the surrounding streets. The citizens of Spanish Fork will be happy to learn that they saved over $33,000, and that they won’t see any more maintenance dollars spent on that roadway section for some time!
Written on January 8, 2011 at 7:18 pm
Ogden, UTAH–The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) has named Bob Lowery of Jack B. Parson Companies (JBP) the 2011 NRMCA Mixer Truck Driver of the Year A panel of judges from the ready mixed concrete industry selected Lowery as the most outstanding driver from a large group of impressive applicants from across the United States.
Lowery will be honored for his career achievements, safety record, professionalism, driving competency and customer service skills at the NRMCA’s Annual Convention on March 21, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
In a nomination letter addressed to the NRMCA, operations manager Hudd Hayes writes, “Bob has done it all in his 43 year career in the ready mix industry and has always been an example and trusted coworker. He is often relied upon for directions and assistance by his fellow drivers. Always with his distinguished wit, he offers help and/or advice to all, whether we want it or not.”
Hayes commends Lowery for his ethics of hard work and dedication, and reports that Lowery has only called in sick three times in his career at JBP. Other notable achievements of Mr. Lowery’s include winning the Utah Ready Mix Roadeo in 2002 and over 90,000 hours worked without any on-the-job injury. Hayes estimates that Lowery has delivered well over 100,000 cubic yards of concrete and over 1.5 million tons of cement and aggregates.
“It has been our privilege to know Bob and have him as one of our most exemplary employees,” Hayes says. “I love and respect Bob for his contribution to making JBP a reputable organization that I am proud to work for.”
Written on December 23, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Ogden, UTAH–The employees at Staker Parson Companies believe you’re never too old for a visit by Santa Claus. For the past decade, employees have played the part of Santa at the Aspen Care Center, an assisted living home located in Ogden, Utah.
Lisa Nielson helps organize the event each year and reports that over 60 residents received gifts. “Our employees look forward to this event each year,” Nielson says. “The residents at the care center write a wish list. Our employees then ‘adopt’ a resident and provide them with a few items from their wish list.” In addition to giving gifts to the residents, Staker Parson donates a gift that can be used by all residents at the center. This year the company donated a Nintendo Wii.
Employees joined together on Dec. 22 to deliver the gifts and sing Christmas carols to the residents. “It’s not just about the giving of gifts, but about spending time and spreading the spirit of Christmas with the residents,” Nielson says.
St. Francis of Assisi once said “For it is in giving that we receive.” Nielson reports that the employees have learned this statement is true through their service at the care center. “This experience has been wonderful for our employees. It unites us in the holiday spirit of giving and really puts us in the holiday spirit.”
Written on October 18, 2010 at 7:21 pm
Ogden, UTAH–Jack B. Parson Companies’ (JBP) ready mixed concrete plant located in West Haven was recognized as the first plant in Utah and the mountain states region to receive the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association’s (NRMCA) prestigious Green-Star Certification at an awards ceremony held Oct. 22 at the company’s corporate office in West Haven.
The Green-Star Program was developed by the NRMCA in collaboration with the US Environmental Protection Agency to recognize the utilization of an Environmental Management System as a tool for benchmarking and continuous improvement. The certification is also a way to recognize those companies that adhere to the essential principles of the environmental and sustainability movements. The program evaluates a company’s environmental stewardship by examining 10 guiding principles which range from measurement and continual improvement to top management commitment and industry leadership.
Scott Parson, President of JBP, said, “We are honored to receive the Green-Star Certification. The integration of a strong environmental management system is fundamental to the success of our business. We are committed to continue to develop practices that make our business sustainable and environmentally responsible.” Parson also reported that several other JBP plants will receive the Green-Star Certification in the coming months.
NRMCA President Robert Garbini presented JBP with a plaque and banner to distinguish their Green-Star status. He congratulated the company for “setting the bar for the rest of the state in terms of environmental sustainability.” Congressman Rob Bishop and West Haven City Mayor Brian Melaney also participated the awards ceremony and congratulated JBP on their great accomplishment.
Written on October 11, 2010 at 7:24 pm
OGDEN, Utah–Two Jack B. Parson Companies (JBP) mixer drivers walked away with cash prizes and top honors at the eighth annual Northern Utah Ready Mix Truck Roadeo. The Roadeo, sponsored by the Ready Mix Council of the Utah Associated General Contractors Association, was held at H & E Equipment Company on September 25, 2010. JBP drivers placed first and third at the event, making 2010 the seventh out of eight years that JBP has won the competition.
Three different tests were administered during the Roadeo, including a written test, a pre-trip inspection conducted by the Utah Highway Patrol and a driving test that measured the driver’s skill in maneuvering, backing, turning and stopping the mixer. Also tested during the event were concrete placement and chute handling skills.
Corey Sadler of JBP’s Smithfield plant was awarded a first place plaque and $1,000 cash prize. Sadler has been a JBP employee for 15 years and represented JBP at the National Ready Mix Concrete Association Roadeo held October 10 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Chuck Rasband of JBP’s Beck Street plant was awarded a third place plaque and $500 cash prize. Rasband has been a JBP employee for 14 years.
“It is great to be part of an organization where every employee strives for excellence not only in their driving skills, but in safety and their desire to make JBP The Preferred Source,” said Bob Rowberry, JBP General Manager. “I am proud of this year’s winners and our excellent drivers who participated in the event. They represent our company well.”
Written on September 23, 2010 at 2:59 pm
OGDEN, Utah–The Utah Safety Council recently honored Staker Parson Companies and its subsidiary company Western Rock Products with three awards for the company’s outstanding safety performance. The awards program was held August 27, 2010 in conjunction with the Utah Safety Council Annual Meeting.
Western Rock was honored with the Perfect Record Award, an award presented to organizations that work twelve consecutive months without incurring an OSHA recordable injury, illness, days away from work or death.
The Award of Merit, presented to Staker Parson and Western Rock, recognizes organizations that demonstrate improvement in lost time and incident rates and/or maintain rates that are consistently below the industry average. In addition to extremely stringent date requirements, applicants for these awards must have functioning safety programs that include a formal written safety and health plan, emergency plans, safety and health inspections, safety trainings and employee safety committees.
Chris Kinnersley, Staker Parson VP of Safety & Human Resource, credits Western Rock’s excellent safety record to a behavior-based safety (BBS) process that values the active involvement and ownership of every employee in the safety culture. One of the employees involved in the BBS process, Tina Jasper, reports that “BBS has been a positive experience. It has served as an awakening, making me more aware of my safety and aware of others’ safety. I have noticed that coworkers are more comfortable communicating about safety concerns and are offering their suggestions about how we can all improve safety.”
Utah Safety Council’s Awards and Recognition Program is designed to promote prevention of unsafe acts by honoring organizations that are committed to excellent safety performance. The Utah Safety Council has spent over 70 years making Utah a safer place to live and work.
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