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For Aaron Brown and his ACL road sealing crew, their role is much more than just applying bitumen and gravel.
It’s about ensuring safety, delivering quality, and managing the unpredictable weather conditions for his road crew team at Ashburton Contracting Limited, which has been serving the Ashburton district since 1995.
“We get the contract each year, and we get all the sealing designs and things that we need to do for the roads,” Aaron said.
“But the biggest priority is making sure everyone is safe on the job, especially with public roads involved.”
That’s why the team goes above and beyond to make sure the public is informed before work begins.
They conduct what he calls a “letter drop” a few days in advance to alert residents that road sealing will take place. With speed zones set at 30 km/h, there’s a need for cones and signs. That’s because the crew wants to ensure that road users are aware and can drive safely around the work area.
“Our main focus is to let people know on the other roads where we are, what we’re doing,” Aaron said, emphasising that signs and cones were essential for public safety.
“Unfortunately for the public, they probably get sick of it, but it’s just to let people know that someone’s here working and what we’re doing.’’
Though the sealing process can be messy and require patience, they know it’s worth it when they see the finished product, with Aaron and his team loving the satisfaction of a job well done.
But it’s a job not without its challenges, with weather conditions and the physical toll of working with hot asphalt all coming into play. But the team is well-prepared and backed by a company where safety and culture has always been paramount.
“The company really look after us. They’re fantastic,” he said.
“We’ve got all the PPE (personal protective equipment) gear we need to do the job.’’
And, as Aron says, he’s lucky to have such a professional and tight-knit team ready and able to tackle Ashburton’s road sealing and maintenance needs in all conditions.
“This crew are a great bunch of guys,” Aaron said.
“You couldn’t ask for anyone better.”
