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| Randy Laflen, seated at right, and his family. |
By Randy
Laflen
When I was asked to write a safety blog for KDOT, the first
idea that came to my mind was safety for my family; both my family at home and
my work family.
I am a third
generation Laflen of now what is the fourth going on fifth generation of
Laflens working for Hall Brothers Inc. Like my ancestors before me, we want to
go home each night to our families. When my granddad, dad and uncles were
building roads in the 50s and 60s they had traffic control that worked well,
but was pretty minimal. They did their best in what seemed like a safe work
environment, but it was in need of much improvement.
Over the
years, signs, cones and flaggers were added to the jobs. Now there are highly
reflective signs, channelizers, flaggers and pilot cars. There are signs and safety
devices being added each for the safety of the public and the workers. We are
continuously adding safety classes, CPR classes, first aid classes, safety
materials and safety apparel for our employees’ safety.
Hall
Brothers Inc. has been my employer for the past 41 years. As the Vice President
of Construction, I pride myself in the fact that the day after I graduated from
high school, I started my career in road construction. From flagging the first
week that I was employed, to learning how to operate each piece of equipment,
and to becoming Vice President - I realize how important safety is in all
aspects of completing each job and the need for safety in the work environment
in which our workers are in every day.
The crews that we employ for the construction of new roads in Kansas are
like family to me and to the company.
My own
family, wife, daughter, son-in-law and grandson deserve the opportunity to
drive on well-constructed roads. Like other companies, we want to make this the
traveling public’s opportunity also. Making the public aware of work zones is
not to inconvenience anyone or to disrupt the traveling public, but for the
safety of our workers. This allows the same workers to construct and to
continue to build better roadways for the future drivers and traveling
families.
With spring
and summer quickly approaching, Kansas road construction will soon be in full
swing. As you are driving these wonderful highways, please be aware and realize
these roads that have been built in the past and the new ones that are being
constructed now are for you and your families. Drive safe, work safe and help
keep Kansas roads safe.
