New asphalt compaction technology for safety, training, optimum density

Reduce air voids and optimize density across the mat and at the joint to get full pay and achieve a long-lasting pavement. Asphalt professionals know the drill, and contractors have more technology options than ever to assist them when it comes to the rolling train.

Many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have packed technology advancements behind their compaction controls to enhance roller offerings. During CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026, we saw those offerings among the tried and tested compaction tools contractors have relied on for years. Those tools and their updates can come with a hefty price tag, so it behooves the savvy asphalt contractor to compare which technologies are best for specific field applications.

During his education session at the tradeshow, Bryce Wuori, CEO of Pavewise, Bismarck, North Dakota, took note of the pain points his audience brought up. During his session, “Smarter Paving: Real-World Lessons in Intelligent Compaction and Emerging Technologies,” he noticed almost half the time was taken up with crowd questions about new technologies, specs and struggles with technology from a cost standpoint.

How to Roll for Bonus, Part 2—Ideas for Perfect Compaction

“It was a true panel of sharing the good and bad of IC and other technologies from multiple perspectives,” Wuori said. “Overall, it seems that technologies like IC are really starting to get some interest and attention from the industry.”

He asked the audience to share their biggest issues when adopting new technologies. The answers ranged from cost to the learning or training curve. “It seems that the industry wants to use tech but is still a little hesitant of the cost and upfront work to implement it,” Wuori said.

We’ve compiled some highlights from the show that were geared specifically toward helping contractors with different aspects of compaction.

Safety Around the Asphalt Roller

Rollover protective structures (ROPS) atop asphalt compactors are as essential to safe operation as properly directed lighting on a night project. Our industry has become accustomed to the sight of ROPS, strobes, seatbelts, adjustable mirrors and safety decals on the compactor and to the sound of backup alarms. Unfortunately, when an operator grows accustomed to a system or sound, he can also grow complacent. In recent years, OEMs like BOMAG Americas, Caterpillar, John Deere, Sakai and others have introduced technology to interrupt an operator’s unintentional complacency.

Keep in mind, each of these technologies has been introduced as assistance for the operator of the equipment. Safe operation still requires attention to detail and proper training.

How to Set Up the Roller and Rolling Zone for Safest Practices

During a presentation in Las Vegas, members of the FAYAT Group spoke of the iron and tech on offer from BOMAG Americas and Dynapac, including AI-powered obstacle detection. The BOMAG Emergency Brake Assist, originally launched during BAUMA 2025, is a proactive, rapid stop system for asphalt rollers. It scans the machine’s surroundings with LiDAR technology to detect potential hazards, but only slows or brakes for obstacles in the machine’s path, although it’s “looking” in both directions and considering all steering angles.

As the operator slows at the end of a pass and angles the roller, as is best practice on a hot mat, the system is still watching for obstacles in its path. Even when the machine is operated in crab mode around utilities or for other special compaction projects, the path being monitored widens.

Intercounty Paving Dives into Intelligent Compaction

The assistance system detects the distance and speed of obstacles using LiDAR technology; However, detecting the steering angle or control lever position and whether the roller is in crab mode are also decisive factors. This information is used to determine whether a hazardous situation exists.

If a collision is imminent, the roller is automatically slowed down or comes to a halt. But it brakes intelligently. If the situation allows, the roller’s working speed is only reduced. For example, if a person is already moving out of the vehicle’s path and thus away from the potential danger zone, the system recognizes this.

The assistance system is displayed and operated via a touchscreen, which is fitted as standard on pivot-steered BOMAG tandem rollers of the AP-5 generation. It can be individually adapted to the typical driving style of different roller operators and the construction site situation. Drivers can adjust the braking intensity in three stages at any time.

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Announced March 1, 2026, the Cat Detect—Collision Mitigation System from Caterpillar enhances situational awareness when operating the roller. It features an integrated, intelligent sensor array to provide forward and reverse collision warnings, people detection, motion inhibit and automatic braking.

“Critical zone detection events” are visible in real-time and are recorded for analysis in the future. These events are recorded and transmitted to VisionLink™ and can then be used as training material. When your team discusses the footage afterward, you can identify areas for improvement and train operators on better safety awareness for the future.

The system comprises:

• The Collision Warning radar system, which targets collision potentials in front of and behind the compactor using audible and visual alerts. These alerts allow the operator to see, manage and mitigate hazards that may otherwise go undetected.
• The People Detection, which leverages smart cameras and alerts the operator when on-site personnel are detected to the front and rear of the compactor. This provides alert levels that dynamically adjust travel speed based on the person’s proximity to the machine.
• The Motion Inhibit, which has manual override capability and prevents compactor movement when the machine is stationary for at least two seconds, and the detection system identifies a collision potential.
• The Automatic Emergency Braking, which activates when a set of criteria are met. Those criteria are first, the compactor is in motion when critical zone detection occurs, and second, the operator fails to act. When the critical zone detection clears, control of the roller returns to the operator.

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Sakai America displayed its Echelon Mode for the Guardman® Automatic Brake Assist System at the tradeshow in March 2026. This updated feature enhances the safety and efficiency of tandem asphalt rolling operations and received an honorable mention in AsphaltPro’s 15 Top Products list in 2025. Here’s how the system works.

Guardman uses millimeter-wave radar or 3D LiDAR (depending on the model) to detect potential collisions with personnel or equipment, warn the operator progressively, and automatically brake to prevent accidents if needed. The Echelon Mode introduced in 2025 built upon this foundation by specifically addressing the unique challenges of echelon rolling. It allows two SAKAI SW884 (79-inch) or SW994 (84-inch) asphalt rollers, equipped with Guardman, to operate in proximity without generating false alarms but still protecting against collisions. The system intelligently monitors distance to the lead roller, ensuring that both operator warning and braking is only initiated when an imminent collision risk is detected.

Key features of Echelon Mode include:

• Optimized tandem rolling to enable closer, more efficient formation
• Reduced false alarms to minimize unnecessary braking interruptions
• Collision prevention, which is the core Guardman functionality
• Real-time feedback for operators on the distance between rollers via the proximity indicator
• On-and-off toggle on the Guardman display screen

The Echelon Mode update is available for SAKAI SW884 and SW994 asphalt rollers equipped with the Guardman automatic emergency braking system.

Training for the Next Generation

Alongside safety comes training. An operator who knows the nuances of his machine is likely to be a safer operator, as well as a more proficient one. To that end, OEMs, dealers, consultants, trade associations, independent technology companies and others have offered a variety of training methods over the decades to ensure roller operators are trained for more than basic control of the machine.

If you have a training school or program for equipment operators, make sure our editor knows about it in time for our upcoming Training Guide. Send an email with your program’s name and URL to sandy@theasphaltpro.com.

One of the trending techniques for roller operator training is to use simulators. CM Labs Simulations of Quebec offers the Advantage simulator, which includes the seating, controls, pedals, computers and hi-res screens as a single unit for trainees. From the safety of a trailer or training room, a new worker (or a worker getting a refresher course) can learn how to operate a variety of machines from the training packs CM Labs offers. As the first company to make swappable controls, CM Labs wished to make it easy to switch controls and pedal sets in minutes. Thus, CM Labs’ full catalogue of heavy equipment training packs can be run from a single simulator.

NDDOT Trials New Technologies on Hwy 14

This includes training packs for various crane types, excavator, wheel loader, backhoe, motor grader and, as of 2025, a single drum roller. The software is designed to simulate the real behavior of the machines, including: rigging, cables, loads and soil behavior, all validated against empirical and engineering data. Advantage simulators also track and log performance metrics, such as cycle time, fuel consumption, pendulums, collisions, failure to protect others on the worksite, and more.

Make note of that technology. The simulators today aren’t your 1990s video game technology. When an employee sits down to learn in the seat of a Volvo or FAYAT or CM Labs simulator, that employee gets to experience the feel of the controls and the feel of the machine tilting, pulling against forces, compacting soil into a denser surface, lifting a heavy load and so on. Simon Halabi from Simformotion, which is the team that designs and manufactures Cat® Simulators, explained that they use authentic controls and motion.

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“We use authentic controls,” Halabi said. “If you go into the real machine, every switch, button, control, joystick, whatever it is you’re using, we have identical on the simulator…The main reason we like doing that is when you leave the simulator as a trainee, you can roll right into the real machine and you don’t have that apprehension. We have line of sight to controls. We’re building muscle memory.”

Halabi also spoke of the experience in the seat. “Our motion system makes it pretty realistic to the movement of [the machine]. Our motion is really spot-on. One of the advantages we get is we have our Cat operators. They’re using these simulators before they’re ever public to anyone and they’re getting the details down to ‘this doesn’t feel right when I’m pulling this bucket back’ or just the movement…utilizing their experience in the actual machine.”

At press time, Cat Simulators, like those described above, offer training on a variety of machines, but Cat rollers and compactors have virtual headsets for training.

Get Density for Full Pay

One of the benefits of the technologies discussed herein is the built-in cheat code for less-experienced operators. As Wuori shared in the March 2025 issue, Border States Paving had to move one of their newer workers onto the breakdown roller during the Highway 14 project in North Dakota. The “new” operator was brought up to speed on the basics of driving the roller and, thanks to the tasks the Smart Compact technology from Hamm could perform on his behalf, he was able to execute the day’s production flawlessly. Wuori shared that the technology allows the employee to concentrate on operating and automates some of the mundane tasks of turning your vibes off and on at the right time or what speed needs to be achieved to get the required impacts for density. It simplifies the process and reduces the burden on the operator to perform successfully. Let’s talk about it.

https://theasphaltpro.com/autonomous-compaction-solutions/

Smart Compact Pro from Hamm is a digital assistant for enhanced process safety and density achievement. The assistant measures asphalt density in real time and automatically adjusts the compaction performance and modes in both of the roller’s drums. This enables more precise compaction, leading to optimal asphalt quality regardless of the operator’s experience or external conditions.

Thanks to real-time density measurement, core sampling tests can be eliminated. It works by automatically and continuously adjusting the compaction performance and modes of both drums separately based on real-time asphalt density. The digital assistant integrates weather data, taking into account both external temperature trends and the cooling behavior of the mat, for optimally adjusted compaction.

As the roller operator works along the newly laid mat, the Smart Compact Pro’s asphalt density scanner, affixed to the underside of the machine’s center, scans the asphalt. The technology measures process-relevant data such as the Hamm Measurement Value (HMV), asphalt temperature, layer thickness, cooling behavior of the asphalt, outside temperature, and local weather data. These input parameters are used to regulate the compaction force and modes in both drums. The device relays these input parameters to a control monitor in the roller’s cab, where density is displayed as a percentage and temperature is displayed in degrees. On the display screen, the operator can also see speed and drum settings, as well as other critical machine functions.

Good Density Equals Smoothness Bonus

Hamm’s Dan Sant Anselmo told The Asphalt Pro that the weather station on top of the roller collects ambient air temperature, wind speed and humidity, to help the operator determine the cool-down rate of the material depending on the mat thickness and the weather conditions. He responded to an example of a vibration-restricted work zone.

He explained, if the rolling train is operating in a vibration-restricted area, with a machine that has dual oscillation or with a machine that allows only the front drum to vibrate and the rear drum to oscillate, “We have the capability in the Smart Compact display to say ‘oscillation only.’ So, it will not allow the machine to vibrate, it will only allow oscillation or run statically.”

These parameters are known ahead of the project and can be communicated to the roller operator for input before the project begins. “When we go into the pre-job meeting and we know this is going to be a vibration-restricted area, the project manager will convey that to the crew, then the project foreman or the supervisor will tell the operator ‘we cannot vibrate here’ and the operator can press that button on the display. He has that control.” That’s set at the beginning of the project or beginning of the paving process.

Tandem Electric Compaction

Volvo Construction Equipment offers Compact Assist Asphalt, powered by the Volvo Co-Pilot, to make the roller operator’s job easier. The system is designed to provide real-time data on compaction metrics, which allow the operator to achieve optimal compaction and move on to the next section of the mat. This, in turn, reduces rework and saves on fuel costs.

Volvo’s Compact Assist is displayed on a touchscreen in the roller’s cab, where the operator can tap, zoom and select elements to switch screens and review the job in progress. Key tools of the system include:

• Pass Mapping, which guides operators through a uniform rolling pattern, without over or under compaction. A quick glance at the pass mapping screen gives operators a clear view of their stop points and overlaps.
• Temperature Mapping, which ensures compaction is completed at the optimum pavement temperature. This screen offers a color-coded map of surface temperatures, and the operator can set the maximum/minimum range for the mix he’s working with. This enables the operator to avoid rolling on a mat that he can see is too hot or too cold.
• Density Direct, which is Volvo’s patented solution providing a real-time estimate of the material density percentage. This measures the quality of the pavement while you work.

Volvo also offers the Compact Assist Soil, which adds job site CAD data to the screen to provide the operator with an additional layer of guidance. Whether identifying a soil mixture that is too wet, or any buried infrastructure, Compaction Measurement Value (CMV) Mapping is designed to provide a complete image of the load bearing strength of the job site. This helps operators identify areas that require additional compaction or further investigation.

Train Operators to Reverse Right

BOMAP is a brand-agnostic technology from BOMAG Americas that lets you document the work results on the construction site in real time and get a transparent overview of compaction performance. With BOMAP, you can monitor the results of your soil and asphalt compaction in real time, regardless of the manufacturer. The app works without any additional special hardware; it uses the mobile device’s internal GPS to detect the position of the construction machine on earthwork or asphalt construction sites. The app is immediately ready for use after installation.

The BOMAP Connect and JOBLINK upgrades offer even more options for networking the entire fleet of machines used on the construction site and processing the recorded data. An operator activates the BOMAP app from an Android tablet or smartphone from a BOMAG roller, and the app connects with the machine’s interface and registers its parameters. All compaction passes are then automatically recorded. If required by job specification, the interface can connect with BOMAG’s Joblink via Bluetooth, and in addition to roller passes, the system also records the Evib value, asphalt temperature, and vibration frequency and amplitude of the BOMAG rollers, and adds the data to the documentation.

For other roller brands in the fleet connected to the networked jobsite, BOMAP Connect logs and transmits the number of passes, generating a pass map for the entire site. By equipping the rollers with an optional high-precision antenna, GPS reception is maximized. All rolling data collected from the site are combined in real time in the cloud application and displayed as a colored map in Google Maps. The colored areas indicate where compaction has already been achieved and where it is still necessary.

Technology wasn’t the only new feature BOMAG brought to the industry. As seen in recent product galleries, the OEM launched a new series of plate compactors, but its BW 18 RH pneumatic tire roller offers an innovative kneading ability. It offers a three-way pivoting front axle to ensure even weight distribution across all tires. The manufacturer lists surface dressing; highway and airfield construction and maintenance; special surfacing materials; proof rolling; lime and cement-stabilized soils for this roller to tackle, stating, “The compaction and kneading effect of the pneumatic tires results in excellent surface sealing.”

Another product that offers a new way to compact asphalt is Dynapac’s Seismic Asphalt. While the company’s Seismic product has been available for soil compaction, SMEs and the technology’s inventor were on hand at CONEXPO 2026 to demonstrate its use for asphalt rollers. Dynapac’s engineering team have developed a compactive force whereby the drum and the soil act as one dynamic system; now they’ve applied that natural frequency to asphalt compaction.

While conventional vibratory compactors deliver a rapid succession of impacts to the soil surface (or asphalt mat) at a frequency that is either pre-set at a high or low amplitude or at a frequency that is adjusted manually, the Dynapac Seismic is designed to find the natural frequency between the drum and the surface. It enhances the drum amplitude by automatically feeding energy to the system at the right time. This, in turn, maximizes the contact force between the drum and the surface, which maximizes the compaction and energy efficiency.

Not only does this optimize compaction, but it also reduces wear and tear on the roller. Dynapac’s first step in letting a machine automatically decide compaction parameters was the introduction of Active Bouncing Control. If the compaction energy returns to the machine with the possibility of causing damage, vibration is actively shut off. This technology prevents unnecessary bouncing, which saves the machine from downtime.

In the cab, the operator can monitor progress: the Dynapac Compaction Meter and Dyn@lyzer display the compaction results in easy-to-understand graphics and eliminates any wasted time on unnecessary passes.

Looking Ahead at the Whole Site

Saving time and money are only two pieces of the puzzle OEMs are handing to asphalt professionals with the enhanced roller offerings of this century. With technology advancements behind their compaction controls and compaction action, OEMs continue to partner with contractors to provide training, safety and increased quality control. As Wuori observed during The Asphalt Pro’s Ask the Expert session at CONEXPO in March, “It was a year about density and rollers. From the Smart Compact to RTDensity and Equipment Manufacture, all presented ways to help get density with systems; it seemed like a trend at this event compared to others I have been a part of.”

His optimistic observation spoke to the connection between OEMs like those highlighted above and the contractors building our pavements. “There was a clear and growing interest in digital technologies designed to address real-world challenges, such as labor shortages and enhancing efficiency through data. Additionally, more niche software companies are emerging, each tackling unique industry problems with innovative solutions.”

As new compaction technologies hit the scene, The Asphalt Pro will bring you deep dives into their inner workings and how they help you optimize density for full pay and a long-lasting pavement.

Editor’s Note: Does your company use IC or other new compaction technology that’s not listed above to assist new operators, achieve optimum density, enhance safety around compaction equipment or other aspects of QC/QA? Whether your technology is all new in 2026, includes updates this year, or has features you’ve counted on for the past decade, The Asphalt Pro audience could benefit from hearing of your experience. Either you or your OEM is welcome to reach out to share information. Send an email to sandy@theasphaltpro.com.

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Are you looking for best compaction practices?

Check out the two-part series titled “How to Roll for Bonus” on TheAsphaltPro.com starting at this link: | AsphaltPro Magazine | How to Roll for Bonus, Part 1—New Ideas in Roller Maintenance

And | AsphaltPro Magazine | How to Roll for Bonus, Part 2—Ideas for Perfect Compaction

Also download our free white paper on roller maintenance from our Digital Downloads page: | AsphaltPro Magazine | How to Maintain the Roller

5 trends shape the workforce mental health and substance use prevention discussion

The AsphaltPro Magazine was one of the earliest publications in the construction industry to share information on mental health and suicide prevention. I met Editor Sandy Lender when I worked for a hot-mix asphalt (HMA) producer and specialty paving contractor in the Pacific Northwest. In 2017, AsphaltPro published a series of articles authored by me and Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas on mental health and suicide prevention.

Lender periodically invites me to share updates on industry trends on these topics. Her most recent request was a deep dive to share insights on a “top five current and future trends” positively affecting the mental health and wellbeing of employees in the aggregates and asphalt industries.

Candid Safety Promotes Mental Health and Prevents Suicide

The five trends identified in this article reflect the growing expansion of workplace mental health initiatives being increasingly adopted throughout the construction industry. These trends show the increasing need to address the intersection of mental health and substance use to decrease the prevalence of both suicide and overdoses in the industry.

SAFE Project commends Vulcan Materials Company for its bold action in 2025 to stock naloxone at all company workplace locations.

Trend #1: Psychological Safety

In the 2019 book, The Fearless Organization, Amy C. Edmonson defined psychological safety as “the belief that one will not be punished or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, concerns or mistakes.” Edmonson further described team psychological safety “as a shared belief that the team is safe for interpersonal risk taking.”

Frequently, psychological safety is closely associated with high-risk environments where trust and open communication is essential—from the executive suite to the crew on the ground. This fits the aggregates and HMA industries.

Psychological safety is an essential condition for improving communication, teamwork and problem solving. It grows from intentional team learning of respect and trust, that empowers employees to speak up, share ideas, and take risks, without fear of judgment, criticism, or repercussions.

Psychological safety increases when first line supervisors cultivate open communication and feedback where team members feel comfortable taking risks to give feedback and share ideas without criticism and repercussions. As psychological safety increases so too does hazard reporting and correction, including near miss reporting and a willingness of crews and supervisors to exercise stop work authority.

Naloxone is the New AED in Workplace First-Aid

Psychological safety helps organizations unlock higher performance at the crew, project and organizational level. Companies that intentionally created cultures with shared values for psychological safety evolve into learning systems that reduced friction and conflict, increased collaboration, spurred innovation and problem solving, and decreased incidents and injuries.

Where workers feel greater trust, they are more inclined to seek help for mental health or substance use issues. In short, when crews feel psychologically safe, they’re more willing to speak up—not only about job hazards, but also about personal struggles. Psychological safety is a precursor for promoting workplace well-being, the intersection between physical health and emotional wellness.

As psychological safety increases so too does hazard reporting and correction, including near miss reporting and a willingness of crews and supervisors to exercise stop work authority.

Trend #2: Recovery First-Aid Training

An important way to boost psychological safety is to educate the workforce about how common substance use challenges are—and the services and supports available for prevention and recovery. This serves to decrease stigma and promotes help-seeking leading to recovery. The Recovery Research Institute (RRI) defines recovery from a substance use disorder as “a process of improved physical, psychological, and social well-being and health after having suffered from a substance-related condition.”

Traditional approaches to substance use prevention in the workplace do not result in employees or family members receiving services. Historically, companies took a “hands-off” approach to substance use in asserting it is not the business of businesses to care what people do in their time away from work unless it becomes an issue at work. Unfortunately, this passive approach did not acknowledge how common substance use challenges were, and did not recognize how important it is for employers to support employees seeking support and services for substance use treatment and recovery.

Real Talk: Alcohol Awareness and Promoting Workplace Recovery

In industries under the jurisdiction of Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations for safety sensitive positions, companies have historically relied on Drug Free Workplace policies and drug and alcohol testing protocols. Often these programs are punitive in nature, and result in disciplinary actions, including loss of employment. This reinforces stigma about mental health and substance use and keeps people from being comfortable seeking or asking for help.

It is important to teach all employees about substance use and misuse. It is important to focus on prevention and early intervention with family members to minimize crises relating to worsening substance use disorder. By offering training on Recovery First-Aid and Recovery Allyship, workplaces can provide a necessary safety net to help employees and family members needing vital support. (See the SAFE Project website for information on Everyday Etiquette for Recovery Allies).

Trend #3: Recovery-Friendly Workplaces

In 2018, the state of New Hampshire became the first to adopt a Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) program. As of 2025, over 25 states have adopted various versions of RFW programs or initiatives. There is even a national certification program sponsored by the National Recovery Friendly Workplace Institute.

A primary purpose of RFWs is to expand labor rate participation by increasing the recruitment and retention of persons in recovery. There remain significant levels of stigma around substance use and addiction. This creates bias and judgment resulting in potential discrimination for persons in recovery in the hiring process. This can include being passed over for promotions and other career advancement opportunities.

When employers commit to being an RFW, they create a safe space for employees and their families to seek care—without fear of judgment or career consequences. The organization is encouraging employees to seek help and support and ensuring access to necessary services.

There are many emerging pockets of success that point to the benefits of this innovative program. Successful RFW programs highlight decreased absenteeism, lower turnover, improved workplace trust and engagement, and higher productivity by hiring persons in recovery.

Construction Safety’s Next Frontier: Suicide Prevention

Despite the growth of the RFW movement, awareness remains a challenge. A survey in September 2024 by consulting firms ForsMarsh and the Human Resources Certification Institute highlighted “60% of human resources professionals had never heard of recovery-friendly workplaces before this survey.” One source of confusion can be that RFW is called Recovery-Ready Workplaces by the federal government and as Workplace Supported Recovery by the National Institute of Occupational Health in its Total Worker Health initiative. Fundamentally, all three names refer to the same approach.

RFWs are an opportunity for the construction industry to close the shortage of skilled and unskilled labor by providing fair chance employment opportunities. The RFW movement offers the industry a positive way to reduce stigma and provide meaningful improvement to help employees and their family receive support and services to address problematic substance use.

Trend #4: Increasing Adoption of Naloxone for Overdose Reversal

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the construction industry has the highest rate of overdose deaths among major occupations. Long hours, physical strain injuries and access to prescription opioids can create a dangerous mix for workers, many of whom are trying to manage chronic pain while showing up for the job.

Preventing the first exposure to opioids starts with strong injury prevention programs—especially for soft tissue injuries from material handling, falls, vehicle incidents and struck-by hazards. It is especially important for companies to focus on the prevention and management of soft tissue injuries frequently occurring in material handling tasks, slips/trips/falls, motor vehicle incidents, or being struck by or caught between moving objects.

Naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, is a life-saving medication that reverses opioid overdoses, and is just as essential for a first-aid kit as an automated external defibrillator (AED). SAFE Project encourages all employers to provide another layer of protection for workforces by breaking the stigma that surrounds overdose response and equipping job sites and field teams with naloxone.

Lakeside Industries Shares a Winning Safety Strategy

Naloxone works by blocking the effects of opioids in the brain, restoring normal breathing in minutes. It does not affect someone who hasn’t taken opioids and is safe to administer in emergencies. Yet overdoses rarely happen the way Hollywood portrays them. Most occur in homes, bathrooms or parked vehicles. Some happen at work; in fact, 10% of job site fatalities are overdoses. They often involve fentanyl—a synthetic opioid up to 50 times stronger than heroin—hidden in pills or powders without the user’s knowledge.

SAFE Project commends Vulcan Materials Company for its bold action in 2025 to stock naloxone at all company workplace locations. While stocking naloxone is still relatively new in the industry, early adopters are setting the tone for a culture that treats overdose prevention like any other workplace safety measure. Vice President of Safety, Health and Environmental Chad McDougal advised that Vulcan Materials deployed naloxone at over 550 locations. (See article featuring Vulcan Materials posted on the SAFE Project website).

Trend #5: VitalCog in Construction Training for Suicide Prevention

Increasingly, more contractors are training their workforces in suicide prevention as part of their safety and wellness programs. VitalCog is a brief, evidence-informed suicide prevention training tailored for the construction industry. VitalCog in Construction was co-developed by the University of Colorado’s Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Depression Center, United Suicide Survivors International and LendLease.

VitalCog in Construction is becoming a training of choice that equips first-line supervisors and crew members with the skills to recognize common warning signs, how to hold direct conversations and connect peers to support. VitalCog in Construction is available in both English and Spanish.

VitalCog can be completed in a period of one to two hours and captures valuable data in post-training surveys. Research reported in the Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health showed attendees experienced increased confidence identifying suicide warning signs and a significant rise in comfort talking about suicide and offering resources. An increasing number of trainers throughout the construction industry are offering VitalCog in Construction. Learn more here.

Cal Beyer, CWP, NAC is the senior director of SAFE Workplaces for national nonprofit SAFE Project (SAFE stands for Stop the Addiction Fatality Epidemic). He has 35 years’ experience as a safety, wellness and risk management professional and is an advocate for workplace mental health, suicide and overdose prevention, and recovery. He helped launch the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP) in 2016. He is a 2025 inductee of the National Academy of Construction. For more information, visit www.safeproject.us or contact him at cal@safeproject.us or (651) 307-7883.

Resources Sidebar:

Additional Resources
Beyer, Cal. (2024). Naloxone is the New AED in Workplace First-Aid. Asphalt Pro. https://theasphaltpro.com/articles/naloxone-is-the-new-aed-in-workplace-first-aid/

Beyer, Cal. (2024). Promoting a Recovery-Ready Workplace by De-Emphasizing Alcohol at Company Gatherings. Construction Financial Management Association. https://cfma.org/articles/promoting-a-recovery-ready-workplace-by-de-emphasizing-alcohol-at-company-gatherings

Delaney, Carolyn, Beyer, Cal, and Jones, Richard. (2020). Building Support for Workers Through Recovery Friendly Workplaces. Building Profits. Construction Financial Management Association.

Cote, Catherine. (2025). How to Build Psychological Safety in the Workplace. Business Insights. Harvard Business School Online. https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/psychological-safety-in-the-workplace

ForsMarsh. Recovery Friendly Workplaces: Preliminary Findings from a Human Resources Needs Assessment.  https://www.forsmarsh.com/2024/09/18/fors-marsh-to-present-early-research-findings-for-hr-professionals-on-recovery-friendly-workplaces-at-white-house-recovery-month-roundtable/

Recovery 101 Fast Facts. Recovery Research Institute. https://www.recoveryanswers.org/recovery-101/fast-facts/

SAFE Project. Opioid Overdose Reversal Training Using Naloxone. https://safeproject-s-school-262f.thinkific.com/courses/naloxone-training

US Department of Labor. Recovery-Ready Workplace Toolkit. https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/RRW-hub/Toolkit

VitalCog: Suicide Prevention in the Workplace.  Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Depression Center; Colorado University Anschutz Medical Campus.

AutoTMAs bring AI to Work Zone Safety in Missouri

Highway work zones have always been hazardous places. Crews operate inches away from high-speed traffic, relying on signage, cones, arrow boards and the heavy shield of truck-mounted attenuators (TMAs) to keep them safe. The job of the TMA is to absorb impact energy when a driver fails to stop in time. But for all their effectiveness, TMAs are reactive devices. By the time a TMA absorbs a hit, the danger has already arrived.

A recent study led by the University of Missouri–Columbia in partnership with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) proposes a shift in approach: that of using the TMA to prevent a crash by warning drivers of an obstruction or work zone danger in real time. The project, documented in MoDOT Research Report cmr 25-007, introduces the Automated Audible Alert System (AutoTMA), which is an AI-enabled solution designed to detect errant vehicles and trigger audible and visual warnings automatically.

The findings point to an advancement in how work zones can be secured, with direct implications for the professionals who set cones, operate TMAs and maintain roads under live traffic every day. Let’s explore the report’s information now.

Response times were under 0.15 seconds, ensuring virtually immediate hazard recognition.

OEMs Manufacture Attenuators to Meet Modern Crash Conditions

The Work Zone Challenge

Work zone crashes have been climbing nationwide. According to the authors’ findings, in 2021, over 105,000 crashes occurred in U.S. work zones, resulting in nearly 1,000 fatalities and Missouri had seen its own troubling rise in TMA strikes, with incidents increasing by more than 20% between 2020 and 2023.

For crews, every TMA collision represents more than just damaged equipment. It means direct risk to the TMA driver, the workers ahead of the truck and the motorists themselves. Many of these incidents trace back to distracted driving, speeding or late lane changes, all factors that static signage and even high-visibility attenuators cannot fully counteract.

Traditionally, audible alerts in TMAs have been manually activated by the driver or a spotter. This method relies on human vigilance, fast reactions and constant monitoring of approaching traffic.

Autonomous Equipment Joins the Job Site

AutoTMA: How It Works

AutoTMA is built to take human reaction time out of the equation. Using a sensor fusion package that combines cameras, radar and LiDAR, the system continuously monitors traffic approaching the TMA.

At the heart of the system are two deep learning models: YOLOv5.0, which identifies and classifies vehicles in real time; and DeepSORT v2.2, which tracks those vehicles across frames, maintaining continuous awareness of their position and movement. The system then applies a time-to-collision (TTC) model to determine whether an approaching vehicle is a risk. Based on this analysis, AutoTMA categorizes threats into escalating levels: normal, elevated, severe and danger.

At the severe and danger levels, the system automatically activates audible alarms (sirens or air horns) and visual strobes. Alerts are graduated. Quieter and shorter alarms are for less urgent threats. Louder and sustained alarms are for imminent impacts. All of this happens within 100-150 milliseconds, which is a response speed that no human operator can consistently match.

Make Your Jobsite 7 Times Safer

Testing and Validation

The research team subjected AutoTMA to a multi-phase evaluation program, starting with simulations and ending with deployment.

1. Simulation Testing: Using Unity 3D models and controlled driving scenarios, the system’s detection algorithms and alert logic were validated against varied traffic and environmental conditions.
2. Laboratory Calibration: Sensors were tuned for precision in speed, distance and trajectory estimation. False positives and negatives were measured and minimized.
3. Controlled Field Trials: At MoDOT’s test facilities, TMAs equipped with AutoTMA were exposed to staged vehicle approaches under varying speeds and lighting.
4. Operational Deployment: The system was mounted on MoDOT TMAs in real work zones to capture live performance data.

Researchers noted some key outcomes. First, detection accuracy was greater than 98%, with near-zero missed detections during structured field trials. Response times were under 0.15 seconds, ensuring virtually immediate hazard recognition. False alarms stayed low thanks to multi-sensor fusion, improving crew confidence and reducing unnecessary disruptions.

Driver behavior was impacted as well. In more than 80% of high-risk cases, the audible alerts prompted drivers to slow down or change lanes in time to avoid collisions.

How to Set Up the Roller and Rolling Zone for Safest Practices

Implications for Crews and Operators

For those working in or around work zones, AutoTMA offers advantages such as reduced reliance on manual monitoring; consistent protection because automated alerts fire every time conditions warrant; improved warning effectiveness because audible cues reach errant drivers at the critical moment, increasing their chances of corrective action; and safer operating procedures. Crews can focus more on their tasks when they know an intelligent system is continuously scanning for threats.

The system is designed to integrate with MoDOT’s existing TMA fleet with minimal modifications, ensuring a smoother adoption curve for crews already familiar with current setups. From a policy perspective, AutoTMA is breaking new ground. Current Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) guidance does not specifically address automated TMA warning systems, so this places Missouri at the forefront of shaping how such technologies will be regulated and standardized.

In chapter six, the report recommends a phased deployment strategy:

• 2024–2025: Final testing and optimization of AutoTMA.
• 2025–2026: Secure regulatory approvals and integrate SOPs for operators.
• 2026: Begin rollout in high-risk operations such as bridge repair and striping.
• 2027–2028: Expand to statewide use across MoDOT districts.
• Beyond 2028: Integrate with smart work zones and pursue national expansion.

In parallel with the deployment strategy, the team recommends developing training protocols for TMA operators and supervisors; aligning AutoTMA with federal policy through collaboration with FHWA and AASHTO; and exploring technical refinements, such as adaptive warning tones for different vehicle types and integration with vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) systems.

7 Habits of Highly Effective Safety Leadership

Looking Ahead

AutoTMA represents a transition from reactive to proactive safety in work zones. By merging AI, sensor technology and automated alerts, the system directly addresses the risks posed by distracted or high-speed drivers approaching work zones. For road-building professionals, the benefits go beyond reduced crash risk. Fewer TMA strikes mean lower equipment repair costs, fewer work delays and greater worker confidence in their safety on the job.

As Missouri prepares for phased deployment, the system holds promise not just as a local solution but as a potential national model. The combination of technical performance, operational feasibility and policy alignment positions AutoTMA as a leading candidate to set new standards in work zone safety.

For crews and contractors, TMAs have long been the last line of defense against errant drivers. With AutoTMA, they may soon also become the first line of warning. By detecting threats faster than humans can react and issuing unmistakable alerts, AutoTMA has the potential to reduce both the frequency and severity of work zone crashes. For professionals working daily in Missouri’s work zones, this technology offers more than innovation. It offers peace of mind.

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Testing AutoTMAs

AutoTMA (Automated Audible Alert System) is a next-generation safety system designed for truck-mounted attenuators (TMAs). Unlike traditional TMAs that passively absorb crashes, AutoTMA actively scans traffic, predicts collision risks, and issues audible and visual alerts in real time. Its modular architecture combines AI-driven perception with rugged hardware to reduce TMA strikes and protect work crews.

What Did MoDOT Test?

During development, researchers evaluated multiple system configurations to balance performance, cost and reliability under real-world work zone conditions. They found that automated detection was consistently faster and more reliable than human observation and multi-sensor systems (camera + LiDAR or radar) significantly reduced false alarms while extending detection range up to 150 meters. They also found that radar-based configurations offered the best all-weather reliability, making them practical for year-round deployment. While camera-only systems provided a cost-effective entry point, researchers recommended multi-sensor setups for broader adoption.

Let’s look at what they tested, specifically:

Camera-Only (Vision-Based Prototype)

• Uses rear-mounted cameras with AI detection (YOLOv5) to identify approaching vehicles.
• Strengths: Cost-effective, straightforward setup.
• Weaknesses: Struggles in low light and adverse weather; higher false alarms from shadows or lane-adjacent vehicles.

Vision + LiDAR Integration

• Adds LiDAR to improve depth accuracy and object detection precision.
• Strengths: Maximum accuracy and detailed object profiles; strong performance in clear weather.
• Weaknesses: Expensive; reduced effectiveness in rain or fog.

Vision + Radar Integration

• Combines cameras with radar for speed and distance verification.
• Strengths: Reliable all-weather performance; reduces false alarms by confirming vehicle trajectory and speed.
• Weaknesses: Less object detail than LiDAR but balances cost and resilience.

AutoTMA Iterations (V1 vs. V2)

• V1: Early camera-only prototype, validated viability of automated detection.
• V2: Multi-sensor system with refined fusion algorithms, reduced false positives, and improved robustness in field conditions.

The bottom line is AutoTMA is adaptable. Agencies can choose a cost-efficient camera-only version or invest in multi-sensor configurations for maximum accuracy and reliability. Both options shift TMAs from reactive barriers to proactive safety systems.

Immediate impact detection and response can save asphalt workers’ lives in the work zone

Smart device communication has reshaped industries across the globe, and road safety is no exception. The rapid detection and timely response to roadside collisions can mean the difference between a quick repair and a tragic secondary crash. Roadside safety devices like crash cushions, guardrails and signs are essential tools for minimizing harm, but their effectiveness depends on knowing when they have been compromised and acting quickly.

This is precisely where advanced impact detection and alert systems are transforming the landscape of roadside safety. In particular, these technologies are revolutionizing safety in highway work zones, where workers are exposed to live traffic and the risk of secondary crashes is highest.

Work zones are dynamic, high-risk environments that demand rapid, informed responses to keep both workers and motorists safe. Immediate notifications to maintenance crews not only save lives but also ensure that damaged safety equipment is replaced or repaired before it puts other motorists or workers at risk. In a time when many transportation departments are juggling limited resources and high traffic volumes, having quick access to the right information in work zones is a game-changer for keeping crews safe and infrastructure in working order. Consistent data flow supports faster decision-making, predictive maintenance, and ultimately, safer roads for both drivers and workers.

7 Habits of Highly Effective Safety Leadership

Connected Work Zones = Real-Time Safety Management

Modern roadside safety systems address critical safety concerns that frequently arise in temporary and permanent roadway environments. Traditional methods of monitoring roadside safety devices have relied on manual checks and rudimentary alerting systems, posing risks due to delayed responses and inaccuracies in information.

In work zones, where conditions change rapidly and equipment is frequently repositioned, these risks are magnified. Today’s advanced alerting systems provide real-time notifications in case of impacts, allowing road crews and emergency medical services (EMS) to respond swiftly. Rapid response significantly reduces the risks of secondary accidents, where vehicles collide with already impacted devices, thereby protecting additional motorists and roadside workers.

Additionally, these systems can provide information around crash location, helping response teams prepare with the accident site’s specific needs in mind. From traffic control measures, repair parts, and personnel needs, this information enables response teams to be more proactive, rather than reactive once they arrive at the scene. The result is not only a measurable increase in efficiency, but also a meaningful reduction in risk and lives saved.

Overcoming Challenges in Roadside Asset Tracking

A major challenge for transportation agencies, particularly departments of transportation (DOTs), is accurately tracking and maintaining the numerous safety devices deployed across roadways. Temporary work zones present an even greater logistical complexity due to their dynamic nature, frequent repositioning of safety devices and the number of assets involved.

Advanced tracking tools directly address these challenges by providing precise GPS locations, product identification and impact history data for each safety asset. Federal regulations require DOTs to maintain detailed Roadway Asset Databases, focusing on critical safety features like crash cushions and guardrail end treatments. These databases are essential not only for day-to-day maintenance but also for staying compliant when national safety standards change.

When crash testing criteria are updated, agencies must know exactly where outdated devices are located, to prioritize replacements. Real-time data makes that process both faster and more accurate. Additionally, with better tracking capabilities, asset management becomes seamless, fostering compliance with federal standards and greatly improving the efficacy of asset maintenance and replacement cycles.

Perhaps the most powerful feature of modern roadside safety systems is their ability to detect impacts instantly. This capability drastically reduces emergency response times, ensuring that damaged safety equipment is repaired swiftly, which helps maintain consistent and optimal protection for motorists. In work zones, this also means less time that workers are exposed to hazardous conditions while waiting for repairs or replacement of safety devices.

A striking example of the life-saving potential of immediate alert systems comes from a recent case involving the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Upon receiving an impact alert, Caltrans crews were able to reach a severe crash scene within minutes, rescuing a family trapped inside a burning vehicle. This rapid intervention underscores the critical value of real-time crash notification systems in roadside safety management.

Asset Management and Resource Allocation

The availability of real-time data empowers departments to make informed decisions regarding maintenance and infrastructure upgrades. For work zone crews, this means being able to proactively manage maintenance schedules, anticipate necessary traffic control measures during repairs and reduce their exposure to hazardous working conditions. These proactive insights significantly enhance operational efficiency and safety for maintenance teams.

By having immediate access to comprehensive asset data, transportation agencies can effectively prioritize repairs, replacements and infrastructure upgrades. This data-driven approach facilitates better resource allocation, reduces inspection times and lowers the overall cost of roadway maintenance.

Investing in smart road safety technology presents clear long-term economic advantages. These systems reduce the frequency of manual inspections, streamline repair processes and decrease downtime for safety equipment. By optimizing asset utilization and reducing maintenance costs, transportation departments can reallocate financial resources to other critical infrastructure improvements.

Additionally, data collected from these systems enables more precise safety analyses, supporting evidence-based decisions for road infrastructure upgrades. When regulatory changes require hardware updates, transportation agencies can easily identify and prioritize outdated equipment, ensuring continuous compliance with evolving safety standards.

Another long-term benefit lies in the ability to minimize redundant site inspections. If systems can confirm a crash cushion has not been impacted, for instance, a crew can skip that location, conserving labor and vehicle hours. This efficiency compounds over time, generating substantial budgetary and environmental benefits.

Make Your Jobsite 7 Times Safer

Road Safety Revolution

The real-world impact of real-time alert systems on road safety is already here. From letting crews know exactly where a crash happened and what they will need to fix it, to helping agencies stay ahead of changing safety standards, these systems are turning static safety gear into intelligent tools. It is less about flashy tech and more about better decision-making, faster responses and safer outcomes.

Companies like TrafFix Devices are leading the way. TrafFix Devices demonstrates the benefits of data connectivity in road safety with its Sentinel Impact Tracker. Engineered for use on various roadside safety devices, such as crash cushions, signs and guardrails, the Sentinel is designed to deliver immediate notifications upon impact. It provides critical data including asset GPS location, product specifications, images of road conditions and detailed repair histories.

The Sentinel can be mounted on both temporary and permanent installations, offering flexibility for departments managing diverse types of infrastructure. Its adaptability ensures that safety insights are not limited to fixed locations but can also extend to mobile or seasonal work zones where risks are often higher.

Designed to withstand rigorous environmental conditions and adhere to international highway safety standards, the Sentinel Impact Tracker exemplifies the transformative potential of real-time, actionable data in the road safety space. By enhancing response times, reducing secondary crashes and optimizing asset management, the Sentinel positions TrafFix Devices at the forefront of innovation, ensuring safer roads and protecting lives across the globe.

The evolution of roadside safety is being defined by the ability to detect, analyze and respond to incidents in real time. As transportation networks grow more complex and the demands on agencies intensify, immediate impact detection and connected asset management are no longer optional; they are essential to protecting lives and infrastructure.

In the context of work zones, these tools are critical for reducing worker exposure to hazards, improving crew response times and ensuring that every worker returns home safely. Tools like the Sentinel Impact Tracker from TrafFix Devices transform static safety equipment into dynamic, data-driven assets, empowering agencies to act faster, allocate resources more efficiently and maintain compliance with ever-changing standards. As live-time data tracking continues to evolve, its influence is both practical and profound, giving transportation agencies better visibility, letting field crews work smarter and safer, and ensuring no crash goes unnoticed. In a world where every second counts, the future of road safety belongs to those who leverage real-time intelligence for better efficiency and safer outcomes for all.

Ken Haley is the director of business development for TrafFix Devices.

Improve jobsite safety by nearly 7 times when you implement health and safety best practices

The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) reported in May that construction professionals can safeguard workers with best practices in the health and safety arena. That might sound like common sense, but there’s proof now quantifying what safety directors have known for years. Let’s take a closer look at the report titled 2025 Health and Safety Performance Report.

ABC members participating in STEP achieved incident rates 658% safer than the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics construction industry average.

ABC published the annual guide to construction jobsite health and safety best practices ahead of Construction Safety Week 2025 to support an industrywide call to action for safer jobsites and a stronger safety culture. Within the report, ABC member companies that participate in ABC’s STEP® Health and Safety Management System, provide data and tools for improving safety practices across the industry.

STEP was established in 1989. It’s a program that provides contractors and suppliers with a no-cost framework for measuring health and safety data and benchmarking with peers in the industry. According to ABC, the 2025 report discussed herein showed top-performing ABC members participating in STEP achieved incident rates 658% safer than the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics construction industry average, reducing total recordable incident rates by 85%.

The 2025 report detailed research from more than 1 billion work hours completed by participants in the construction, heavy construction, civil engineering and specialty trades in 2024. Here are the five foundational best practices these safety leaders have in common:

• They offer new-hire safety orientation: Companies that conduct an in-depth indoctrination of new employees into health and safety culture, systems and processes experience Total Recordable Incident Rates, or TRIR, 52% lower than companies that limit their orientations to basic health and safety compliance topics. Additionally, Days Away, Restricted or Transferred, or DART, rates are reduced by 56%.
• They offer substance-abuse prevention programs: Robust substance abuse prevention programs and policies with provisions for drug and alcohol testing where permitted lead to a 52% reduction in TRIR and a 55% reduction in DART rates.
• They offer more frequent toolbox talks: Companies that conduct daily, 15-to-30-minute toolbox talks reduce TRIR rates by 78% and DART rates by 79% compared to companies that hold them monthly. If you don’t already subscribe to the free Toolbox Tips newsletter from AsphaltPro, sign up for that weekly email at TheAsphaltPro.com. And check out the library of Toolbox Tips for those topics most relevant to your team at TheAsphaltPro.com.
• Their top management is engaged: Employer involvement at the highest level of company management in safety best practices produces a 49% reduction in TRIR and a 52% reduction in DART rates.
• They assess leading indicators: Tracking and reviewing activities carried out to prevent and control injuries, such as safety training, new hire safety orientation and substance abuse prevention, leads to a 59% reduction in TRIR and a 60% reduction in DART rates.

“Transforming the status quo to set the expectation that all incidents are preventable creates a culture where health and safety are elevated to core values, a moral obligation for employers and employees,” said Greg Sizemore, ABC vice president of health, safety, environment and workforce development. “Priorities change frequently, but values remain consistent. The tools in ABC’s safety report draw the blueprint for industry leaders and workers to create a culture of health and safety, win and deliver work to communities without incident and protect the construction industry’s most valuable resource: its workforce.”

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ABC’s 2025 Health and Safety Performance Report is made possible by DEWALT, a Stanley Black & Decker brand. Any company can participate in STEP. To get started, visit abc.org/step.

 

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“If we choose to lead, if we choose to commit and if we choose to transform, together we can ensure every construction worker goes home safer, happier, healthier and more fulfilled every single day.”—Greg Sizemore

Vests provide preventive and emergency heat protection to cool workers for NEP Heat Standard safety

While asphalt professionals implement safety measures to protect workers from extreme heat and the effects thereof, heatstroke is still a danger to watch out for. If you see the signs of heatstroke in a co-worker while in the field—or at the plant, etc.—don’t hesitate to act. Call for help and get the affected worker to a shaded or sheltered area.

The Korey Stringer Institute provided, “Heatstroke is a multi-system illness caused when heat accumulation outpaces heat dissipation.” Researchers at the institute, specifically CEO Dr. Douglas Casa, spoke of an emergency device to assist workers who are overcome by heat.

“ColdVest is a viable treatment option for rapid cooling during transport or in remote work situations when cold water and ice are not available,” Casa said.

His team studied the ColdVest emergency product from the company ColdVest. It’s designed to support compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) National Emphasis Program (NEP) on Heat Standards.

Another way to stay in compliance with the NEP is to prevent overheating. Sylvia Allen, founder and CEO of StaCool Industries Inc., Lecanto, Florida, designed and manufactures the StaCool Vest™ Body Core Cooling System, which is designed to be worn while working for prevention of emergencies. Her invention incorporates the use of frozen gel packs inserted into vest panels to help maintain safe body temperature while working.

She shared, “The StaCool Vest is worn while working to help prevent the need of the ColdVest. The StaCool Vest can be worn so that the body temperature is kept at a comfortable level, not reaching the point of heat exhaustion. Wearing the StaCool Vest while working also helps with symptoms prior to heat exposure such as weakness, fainting, etc., which then could result in the possibility of more extensive injuries, not only to the person affected but to others as well.”

Allen’s vest is designed to be worn over and over again, with removable gel packs to freeze overnight and re-insert at the beginning of a new workday. As a preventive measure, it helps keep the worker from going into an emergency situation.

“The ColdVest is a great concept for those that reach that stage of heat exhaustion or other heat-related issues,” Allen said. “Wearing a StaCool Vest while working will help to prevent the need for use of the ColdVest; however, with that said, there is always that possibility, even while wearing the StaCool Vest, if not changing out ThermoPaks in a timely manner or if any other health issues or emergencies arise, having the ColdVest on hand and available while waiting for additional help to arrive would be a great addition to the safety equipment. Our summers are getting hotter and that is the new normal now, so any additional cooling equipment that can help prevent serious injury is always welcome.”

Comply with NEP: Tips to Keep Workers Cool, Safe and Your Company in Compliance

A colleague in distress isn’t always noticeable. “Commercial contractors have numerous people working on a project at a time,” Allen reminded readers, “so to be able to watch each and every person working and be able to notice the signs of heat exposure and exhaustion is almost impossible unless the person is able to bring it to someone else’s attention. Unfortunately, with heat stress, that rarely happens because the person affected does not notice the signs themselves until it’s too late. Individuals working with heavy equipment such as what’s used in the asphalt industry are also susceptible to heat exposure beyond just the physical work; this I would consider extremely dangerous to those around them.”

“I really like the idea of the ColdVest to have on hand in emergencies, again anything that can help prevent prolonged heat exposure and can rapidly cool down the core body temperature until help arrives is always a good thing.”—Sylvia Allen, Founder, StaCool Industries

If you see the signs of heatstroke in a colleague—which the Mayo Clinic lists as a core body temperature of 104°F or higher, confusion, agitation, slurred speech, delirium, nausea and vomiting, flushed skin, rapid breathing, racing heart rate, and headache—immediately call 9-1-1 and help the affected worker get to a shaded area. If you have a ColdVest on hand, the steps for its use are outlined in the sidebar. If you don’t have a ColdVest on hand, Mayo Clinic recommends removing the victim’s excess clothing and spraying them with cold water. Place ice packs or cold, wet towels on their head, neck, armpits and groin. Check out the more in-depth article “Comply with NEP” for additional guidance.

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How to Deploy ColdVest in an Emergency

Step 1. Remove ColdVest from its plastic wrapping.

Step 2. Fill the bladder with 3 liters of non-carbonated liquid.

Step 3. Connect the bladder by inserting the tube to the vest’s red receptacle until you hear a loud snap.

Step 4. Roll the bladder like a toothpaste tube, pushing water into the vest. (Note: Make sure the bladder isn’t twisted when filling the vest.)

Step 5. Massage, shake or turn the vest upside down to ensure water is evenly dispersed.

Step 6. Place the ColdVest on the victim’s torso; ensure maximum coverage and contact with skin. Remain in place while waiting for emergency personnel to arrive. ColdVest is designed to stay cold up to one hour.