SAFETY NEWS – SEPTEMBER 2025
Welcome to the GCU Safe AF Quarterly Newsletter — where we’re always focused on safety! Here you’ll find what’s new and happening in safety at GCU: important updates, training reminders, recognition of teammates leading by example, and the stats that prove our safety culture is working. Thank you all for proving everyday that safety isn’t an option, it’s who we are.
– Your Safety Team
Safety Spotlight
We’re very proud to recognize Justin Anderson as our Safety Spotlight!
While out on the road, Justin witnessed a serious road rage incident. Without hesitation, he hit the record button on his dash cam, then safely connected with the woman involved to let her know he had captured the incident on video.
Kudos to Justin—not just for staying alert, but for stepping up when it mattered most. His quick thinking and willingness to help turned a dangerous situation into critical evidence that could support an investigation.
It’s also a powerful reminder of how our dash cams aren’t just tools for monitoring—they can truly make a difference beyond the job site.
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
— Edmund Burke
Training Updates
Q3 Confined Space Training is underway! Sessions are being held in groups of about 25 to give everyone valuable hands-on training experience.
Looking ahead to Q4, we’re gearing up for MOT (Maintenance of Traffic) Training, plus our very own Safety Man, Dave, will be teaching a course on Pipe Plug Safety. You won’t want to miss it!
Common Safety Myth
Myth
“If I’ve done the job this way for years without getting hurt, it must be safe.”
Truth
Just because nothing bad has happened yet doesn’t mean the method is safe.
Unsafe habits can go unnoticed for a long time—until they don’t. Risk is cumulative, and all it takes is one moment of distraction, equipment failure, or changed conditions for something to go wrong. Safety procedures exist not for when everything is going right, but for when things go wrong.
2nd Quarter – Safety Stats Summary
Top 10%
Samsara Benchmark for Speeding and Mobile Usage
(as compared with other companies of our size)
98
Average Driver Score
40
Safety Inspections Performed
714
Daily Safety Meetings Held
570,910.6
Total Miles Driven
Special shoutout to Kody Whitehead for holding the longest safe speed streak at 82 hours, and to Ryan Mills for an impressive 221-hour streak of focused driving. Great job, both of you!
Did you know?
Chasing your health and fitness goals? GCU’s got your back! We offer a $25/month gym membership reimbursement—just go at least 6 times a month (that’s only twice a week!) to qualify. It’s an easy perk to take advantage of, and a great way to stay active while saving money.
Hydration Reminder: Don’t Let the Heat Win
Alabama heat and humidity are no joke—especially when working outdoors. To stay safe and perform your best, drink 8 oz of water every 15–20 minutes during hot weather work. That’s about 1 quart per hour, or 1.5 to 2 gallons over a full workday.
Pro Tips
- Don’t wait until you’re thirsty—by then, you’re already dehydrated.
- Stick to water or electrolyte drinks. Avoid sodas, energy drinks, and anything with caffeine or alcohol.
- A quick check: pale yellow urine = hydrated, dark yellow = drink more water!!
Thank you!
Thanks for reading, thanks for the hard work you put in every day, and thanks for proving that safety is more than rules… It’s who we are. Stay focused, stay safe!