The rumble of pavers, the smell of fresh asphalt – it's that time of year again! Paving season is upon us, bringing with it the promise of smoother roads and improved infrastructure. But with the excitement of a new season comes a critical reminder: safety must be our top priority.

Key Safety Considerations for the Season:

• Pre-Job Planning & Site Assessment: Before any paving work begins, thorough planning is essential. This includes:
• Comprehensive Job Hazard Analysis (JHA): Identifying potential hazards and implementing control measures before work starts.
• Site Inspection: Evaluating the work area for potential dangers, such as underground utilities, traffic flow, and pedestrian access.
• Traffic Control Plan: Developing and implementing a clear traffic control plan to protect both workers and the public. This includes proper signage, flaggers, and designated work zones.
• Weather Monitoring: Staying informed about weather conditions and postponing work if necessary due to extreme heat, rain, or other hazardous weather.

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Don't cut corners when it comes to PPE. Ensure all workers are equipped with and consistently use the necessary gear, including:
• Hard Hats: Protecting against falling objects.
• Safety Glasses: Shielding eyes from dust, debris, and projectiles.
• Safety Boots: Protecting feet from impacts and punctures.
• High-Visibility Clothing: Ensuring workers are easily seen by equipment operators and passing vehicles.
• Gloves: Protecting hands from abrasions, burns, and chemicals.
• Hearing Protection: Minimizing exposure to loud machinery noise.
• Respiratory Protection: Using appropriate respirators when working with materials that produce harmful fumes.

• Equipment Safety: Heavy machinery is an integral part of paving, but it also presents significant risks. Remember:
• Pre-Operation Inspections: Conduct thorough inspections of all equipment before each use, checking for any defects or malfunctions.
• Proper Training: Ensure all operators are properly trained and certified to operate specific pieces of equipment.
• Safe Operating Procedures: Adhere to established safety protocols for operating machinery, including speed limits, load limits, and safe distances.
• Regular Maintenance: Schedule regular maintenance for all equipment to prevent breakdowns and ensure optimal performance.

• Material Handling: Working with hot asphalt and other materials requires caution:
• Burn Prevention: Wear appropriate protective clothing to prevent burns from hot asphalt and other materials.
• Proper Lifting Techniques: Use proper lifting techniques to avoid back injuries when handling heavy materials.
• Chemical Safety: Follow safety guidelines for handling and storing chemicals used in paving operations.

• Communication & Training: Open communication and ongoing training are crucial:
• Regular Safety Meetings: Conduct regular safety meetings to discuss potential hazards, review safety procedures, and address any concerns.
• Toolbox Talks: Hold short, focused safety talks before starting specific tasks.
• Incident Reporting: Report all incidents, no matter how minor, to identify trends and prevent future occurrences.

A Safe Season is a Successful Season:

By prioritizing safety in every aspect of our paving operations, we can ensure a productive and incident-free season. Let's work together to create a safe work environment for ourselves, our colleagues, and the public. Remember, safety isn't just a rule – it's a responsibility we all share.

ARTICLE BY RYAN MCGINNIS

While winter in the Chicagoland construction industry can seem like a slower period, K-Five strategically utilizes this time to invest in employees' professional development and foster a stronger sense of community. By hosting regular "lunch and learn" events from January through April, we keep our team engaged, informed, and connected during the colder months. These sessions cover a wide range of topics, from Insurance 101 to CPR and AED demonstrations to updates on new concrete practices, there is a lot to learn and to share, and certainly no dull periods for our team.

These lunch and learn events serve a dual purpose. First, they provide valuable opportunities to enhance knowledge and expertise, ensuring we stay at the forefront of industry advancements and personal wellbeing. Second, these gatherings create a relaxed and social environment where employees from different departments can interact, share ideas, and catch up with one another. This helps to strengthen team bonds, improve communication, and boost morale, all of which are essential for a successful and collaborative work environment. By prioritizing employee growth and connection during the winter months, the K-Five team sets the stage for a productive year ahead.

Above: Bob Copp's photo of maintenance on one of the milling machines.

Below: Ron Parish's photo of the shop team training on the new CAT paver.

The dedicated team at the K-Five Shop in Hodgkins performs winter maintenance on our equipment for several crucial reasons:

• Preventative Maintenance: Winter weather can be harsh on machinery. Cold temperatures can cause fluids to thicken, rubber and seals to crack, and metal to become brittle. Winter maintenance helps prevent these issues, ensuring the equipment is ready to go when needed. 

• Maximize Equipment Lifespan: By properly maintaining equipment during the winter, K-Five can extend its lifespan and avoid costly repairs or replacements in the long run.

• Safety: Well-maintained equipment is safer to operate. Winter maintenance can help identify and address potential safety hazards before they lead to accidents. 

• Readiness for Spring: When the weather warms up and construction projects resume, K-Five needs its equipment to be in top condition. Winter maintenance ensures that everything is ready to go, minimizing delays and maximizing productivity.

• Optimize Performance: Properly maintained equipment performs better and more efficiently. This can lead to cost savings and improved project outcomes. 

Beyond winter maintenance, the shop is also busy training and getting acquainted with the newest equipment we will have in the field this upcoming season. No dull days anywhere in the company, even in the dead of a Chicagoland February!

Above: The Championship Round. Below: Pictured from left to right: Jennifer Krug, Nick Eller, Ryan Fontana, and Matt Krug.

K-Five held its second Annual Ping Pong Tournament this winter in the game room at the Westmont office. Amongst a league of very competitive and very motivated players this year, there were four victors:

Winner: Nick Eller

2nd Place: Ryan Fontana

3rd Place: Jennifer Krug

4th Place: Matthew Krug

Congratulations to the winners and thanks to everyone who participated in making the winter a little more fun!

Name: Virginia LoPresti

Role at K-Five: Estimator

When did you start at K-Five?

Estimating Intern from May 2023 – August 2023

Full time Estimator from June 2024 - Present

How did you first learn about K-Five?

While studying Civil Engineering at UIUC, I received a weekly email from my counselor with information about clubs, events on campus, and job/internship opportunities. Among all the information in the email was the K-Five internship opportunity. I read more about it via the K-Five website and LinkedIn.

What first drew you to work at K-Five and how has that changed during your time here?

Upon further research of the company, I learned that the K-Five main office is less than 10 minutes from my hometown. I knew I didn’t want to travel to the city for work and that I wanted to stay close to home after I graduated college, so K-Five was in the perfect location. I also learned that K-Five is a family company. This drew me to work at K-Five because I knew family values would be embedded throughout the company. Now that I’ve worked at K-Five for some time, I appreciate the company culture and the willingness of my coworkers to answer my questions and help me grow in my position.

What was your first position at K-Five (if it’s a different position than what you have now)?

I worked as an estimating intern during the summer before my senior year at UIUC.

What has been your favorite project while working at K-Five and why?

My favorite project while working at K-Five has been the Keller Farm project in Plainfield. This project is a large subdivision with about 10,500 tons of asphalt. I liked this project because I was a part of building a neighborhood that people will call home. It was surreal being able to go on-site and watch the paving crew bring to life this project that I had worked hard on.

What has been your proudest moment while working at K-Five?

They say you become an expert in a subject when you can teach others about it. I am proud that I have learned so much about my position that I can now help others learn. I was asked to teach a coworker how to use the Bluebeam software to complete a quantity takeoff. I was able to thoroughly explain how to use the software and answer any questions they had about the process.

If you had to pick a job in a completely different field, what would you do?

I would work on a farm. I enjoy being outdoors and I’m a big animal lover. I have a cat, who I adore, but how cool would it be to have pets that produce food like eggs and milk. There’s also a lot of science that goes into farming which I find very interesting.

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy reading, cooking, and walking outdoors.

You get to spend a week to travel anywhere in the world. Where would you go?

I would go to Italy. I’ve never been there but it’s always been a bucket list vacation spot for me and my big Italian family.

Above: Brian Gormsen gives manufacturing updates. Below: Steve Murphy trains the team on various IT scams.

Each year, we usher in the new construction season with the highly anticipated Start-Up Meetings. This event serves as a springboard for the team, equipping them with the knowledge and strategies needed to excel in the coming months.

Sharpening Up for Peak Performance

The Start-Up Meetings function as a platform for rolling out best practices to ensure consistency and adherence to high quality standards across all K-Five projects. This year, we had smaller group breakout sessions on technology, human resources, and safety, allowing for more discussion amongst employees on these important topics.

Safety First: A Core Value

Safety remains paramount at K-Five. The Start-Up Meetings prioritize safety protocols by revisiting and reinforcing critical guidelines. This proactive approach safeguards not only K-Five's employees, but also everyone involved in their projects. The safety department updated everyone on data from incidents over the past few years, as well as new guidelines for the season ahead.

A Team Approach to Success

The Start-Up Meetings embody K-Five's commitment to teamwork. These gatherings serve as a chance for various departments within the company to come together. This fosters communication and collaboration, ensuring a smooth and successful year for K-Five as a whole.

By dedicating time to this annual event, we set the stage for a productive and rewarding construction season. Through a focus on best practices, innovation, and safety, K-Five empowers its team to deliver exceptional results.

K-Five has recently donated the following charities:

• North Central College
• City of Hope
• St. Marks Coptic Orthodox Church
• Federation of Women Contractors
• Cook County Sheriff's Polic FOP #4
• Jacobs High School Athletics
• San Miguel School
• Johns Hopkins Medicine
• Village of Hodgkins
• Pleasantview FPD
• Women Road Builders

Congratulations to Bernadette Wilczek Schumacher on the arrival of her first child, a beautiful and healthy baby boy named Wes- William Edwin Schumacher!

Many blessings to Bernadette and her husband Ken on this happy arrival!