MARVIN JOLES
IN THE MIX
Worksite Safety & Prep
in Sealcoating and Crack Sealing
MARVIN JOLES
W hen you’ ve been in this industry as long as I have, including decades of running Wis-Coat Asphalt Maintenance, you see the good, the bad and the ugly on a jobsite. The work we do can seem routine after a while. Like pulling up with the crew, unloading equipment and getting after it. I can tell you from experience that all it takes is one unforeseen accident, or something to happen out of the ordinary, to remind you just how dangerous this trade can be if we aren’ t deliberate about safety and preparation. Over the years, I’ ve had my fair share of those moments. I’ ve seen hot material splashed where it shouldn’ t have been. I’ ve seen hoses burst unexpectedly. I’ ve seen close calls with vehicles that wandered too close to the work zone. People literally drive through cones into fresh sealer. None of these moments were things I ever planned for, but they all became lessons we carried forward at Wis-Coat. Every accident, every near miss, forced us to ask the question: How do we prevent this from ever happening again? That’ s the heart of safety and prep— learning from experience and putting systems in place so the crew doesn’ t have to learn the hard way. When you create habits that prioritize safety, you’ re not just protecting your team, you’ re improving efficiency, quality and morale. A crew that feels safe works with more confidence. And a confident crew gets better results for your customers, which means better results for you as the leader and / or owner.
With that in mind, let’ s take a closer look at two of the most common services we provide in the maintenance side of the industry, crack sealing and sealcoating, and go over three critical things to remember in each category. These are the same principles I remind my own crews of before we step onto a lot or driveway.
Three Things to Remember for Crack Sealing Safety & Prep
1. PPE Matters Hot rubber crack sealant will reach 350 degrees Fahrenheit or more. Always use heat-resistant gloves, long sleeves, safety glasses and / or face shields when loading or applying material— especially when it is being placed into already melted material. A minor splash can turn into a serious injury without PPE.
2. Equipment Warm-Up & Check Before firing up the melter, check hoses, propane hoses, tanks and valves. Leaks or blockages can cause sudden pressure releases or clogs that cause material misdirection. A 5-minute inspection up front can prevent a costly accident or worse.
3. Jobsite Layout & Traffic Control Safety isn’ t just about your crew, it’ s about the public, too. Cones, signage and clear traffic flow are a must. Laying out your zone
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