Culpeper-2020-December

VOLUME 28 | ISSUE 12
DECEMBER 2020
Congratulations to Harper Settle, child of Jason Settle. Harper’s artwork was selected
to be featured for the month of March in the 2021 VDOT Safety Calendar. The Office of
Safety, Security and Emergency Management received 145 submissions statewide.
PUBLISHED FOR AND ABOUT VDOT’S CULPEPER DISTRICT TEAM
Albemarle Culpeper Fauquier Fluvanna Greene Louisa Madison Orange Rappahannock
Unsung Heroes of Culpeper District
Make a Difference
I want to take this opportunity to say thank
you to my Culpeper Family for your hard work
and dedication to keep our transportation system
operating, providing access to our health care
workers and first responders enabling them to
perform their jobs. You are also ensuring the
ability of the freight industry to get goods and
supplies to those in need, in addition to all our
citizens who are depending on us to help them
get through this difficult time.
You are the unsung heroes of this pandemic,
but I am singing your praises every chance I
get. Have no question that what we are doing
is essential for our first responders and health
care workers so they can do their jobs in saving
lives, treating the sick and attending to the
community’s needs. Be proud of what your role
is and don’t think for a moment it is mundane or
unimportant. It is vital! The important roles you
play in our communities, especially now can NOT
be overstated. Be assured, you are making a big
difference in the fight and you are very much
appreciated by your leadership team.
However, don’t forget your number one
priority is to ensure you are taking care of
yourself and your loved ones as they need you
more than ever. In that regard, I want to thank
you for looking out for each other to protect all
Continues on page 2

PAGE 2 DECEMBER 2020
Heroes (continued)
of us during this pandemic. Your actions and leadership
have helped us slow the spread of this virus and keep our
employees as safe as possible.
I wish we had the opportunity to enjoy each other’s
company face to face, but that is not possible at this
time while remaining safe. As this pandemic goes on, we
need the comfort of our family, friends and co-workers
to help us through this time, but with the continued
spread of the virus, those large and close interactions
and gatherings are not possible without jeopardizing
Watch District Engineer John Lynch's holiday message to the
our health. Quite honestly, that is just what we all need
district.
so desperately to help us through the upcoming holiday
season, but it will have to wait.
Thanks for your continued efforts on everything: on COVID, on our response to our economic impacts
and budgets, on weather and emergency events and in keeping our programs moving. Your dedication
and reliability in doing your jobs in the face of all the distractions in many facets of our lives is truly
amazing. You do an excellent job addressing everything thrown your way and it makes me so very proud
to be part of the Culpeper District!
I wish you all the best for the holiday season. I hope you can relax and enjoy time with your family, but
in a safe and responsible way so we are protected and free from harm and danger. Please continue to be
healthy and strong so we can return to a world that is happy, peaceful, joyful and united.
Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Holidays, and all the best for the New Year.
John Lynch
New Mobile Device Law Takes Effect in January
Beginning January 1, 2021, it will be illegal to
hold a personal communications device while
operating a motor vehicle on Virginia roads.
Click on the thumbnail at right to watch this
VDOT-TV episode and learn what this means for
you and how it will make roadways safer.

DECEMBER 2020 PAGE 3
New KASK Safety Helmets
in Service Beginning Jan. 4
KASK Helmet FAQs
How do I clean my helmet?
Wash exterior shell with a solution of water
and mild dish detergent using a soft sponge
or soft cloth. The interior Velcro attached
sweat pad can be removed and cleaned in
cool water.
How do I store the helmet?
Store in a location out of direct sunlight.
KASK recommends storing it in the original
box.
How do I label my helmet with my
name?
You can write your name within the label
space at the rear of the helmet, or place a
name label no greater in size than ¾” by 2”
over the location of the name label space
How do I use my ear muff-style hearing
protectors?
Hearing protection from Mancon will fit
the slots of the new helmet and already
meets the specifications for the Hearing
Conservation Program. (Note: When
removing clips from KASK helmet in cold
environment, be gentle, as the plastic will
be more brittle.)
Who will still wear traditional hard hats
(old style white hard hats)?
Visitors, guests, temporary emergency
workers and office workers
With the New Year VDOT will begin a significant new
chapter in its use of personal protective equipment
(PPE). The traditional hard hats that have protected
generations of VDOT employees will be replaced
by new KASK safety helmets, which will become
mandatory on Jan. 4, 2021.
The KASK helmets will be standard-issue PPE for
all VDOT personnel. The agency is in step with many
construction companies, which are adopting the newerstyle
helmets across the industry.
The new helmets provide significantly improved
protection and are also more stable on the wearer’s
head. The traditional helmet is designed to protect
against a blow directly onto the top of the helmet, but
provides significantly less protection to hits from the
side. Such lateral blows may actually cause the helmet
to fly off the wearer’s head, leaving it exposed to
subsequent blows. The helmet may also fly off during
Continues on page 4
What additional accessories will be
available?
Adaptor clips, adaptor visor, clear and mesh
full-face shields, Velcro sweat pad for inside
helmet, spacer for front of helmet
The large and XL helmets do not fit,
what do I do?
Report this to your District Safety Manager
for assistance.
The chin strap is too tight around my
neck or won’t latch, what do I do?
Report this to your DSM. Central Office
Safety Division is working with KASK on a
solution.

PAGE 4 DECEMBER 2020
KASK (continued)
a fall, leaving the wearer’s head unprotected
when it strikes the ground or other hard surface.
VDOT conducted a study of the current,
traditional hard hat alongside several models
of the newer helmets. The KASK helmet was
selected as a replacement due to the greater
protection offered by the integrated chin strap,
more substantial suspension system, and the
ability to add accessories such as a visor, face
shield and ear protection for specific tasks. It
also offers a 10-year service life, compared with
the current hard hats that call for replacement
of the suspension system each year.
The KASK helmets are significantly more
expensive, approximately $250 with the
accessories, compared with the current hard
hats that cost about $90. When the helmets
are distributed, each employee will be asked
to sign an acknowledgement of receipt and
responsibility for care of the helmet. In case of
loss or damage due to negligence, the employee
may be asked to reimburse the agency for the
pro-rated cost of the helmet, based on the
remaining service life. Employees whose helmets
are damaged in the course of daily work will not
be responsible for reimbursement.
Culpeper DE John Lynch said of the helmets,
“This is an example of VDOT keeping pace with
evolving technology, which is true in the realm
of safety as well as in other areas. These new
helmets will greatly enhance the protection
of our workers, and is another example of
how VDOT values the safety and health of our
employees.”
Employees will receive the new helmets
from their supervisors, and will be expected
to begin wearing the helmet on Jan. 4 or the
first day they return to work after the New
Year. For more information about the new
helmets, a video featuring Commissioner Brich
can be viewed on YouTube: www.youtube.com/
watch?v=T7HZtEVdsKk&feature=youtu.be
New Mobile Materials Lab Delivered
Check out the district’s new mobile asphalt testing lab! Haroon Shami, Matthew Moore, and Jimmy
Aylor of Materials worked with Materials Division and Rosalie Alther in Procurement to develop the
custom specifications. Check back in a later issue of The Pipeline to see the lab in action.

DECEMBER 2020 PAGE 5
Compliments on Job Well Done
Keene AHQ
“Thank you for quickly responding to
remove the large fallen limb during the
winter storm!”
— Mr. Haley of Albemarle County
“Thank you for working on the pipe project
on Coles Rolling Road on a Saturday. Y’all
certainly went the extra mile.”
— Mr. McCloskey of Albemarle County
Free Union AHQ
“Thank you for quickly responding to get
the road fixed. You and your crew are very
much appreciated!”
— Mr. Johnson of Albemarle County
West Culpeper AHQ
“Thank you to Steve Fincham and Eric Hale
for stopping to change a flat tire for my son.
He was broken down on the side of the road
at about 2 a.m. and could not get the tire
off because his tire jack was not working
properly. He had been sitting there for
about an hour with no way to call anyone.
"Then, Steve stopped and Eric arrived to
help, too. I am so thankful that y’all were
there to help my son or no telling how long
he would have been stuck out in the cold.
Thank you again!"
— Ms. Davis of Culpeper County

PAGE 6 DECEMBER 2020
Most IRS Contribution Limits
for 2021 Remain Unchanged
The Internal Revenue Service announced that the
dollar amounts participants may contribute to taxdeferred
savings plans, such as the Commonwealth of
Virginia 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, will remain
unchanged for tax year 2021, which begins January 1.
BENEFITS CONTACTS
Anthem Member Services
Medical, prescription drug, optional vision/hearing
1-800-552-2682
www.anthem.com/cova
Flexible spending accounts (FSA)
1-877-451-7244
www.benefitadminsolutions.com/anthem
Employee Assistance Program
1-855-223-9277
www.anthemeap.com
COVA HealthAware (Aetna)
Medical, dental, EAP, prescription drug, vision, hearing
1-855-414-1901
www.covahealthaware.com
How to change contributions: To increase
Commonwealth of Virginia 457 Plan contributions
effective the first pay period of 2021, participants should
log into their online account or call 877-327-5261 by 4
p.m. December 31.
Participants cannot use the Age 50+ Catch-Up and
the Standard Catch-Up in the same calendar year. For
more information on the Age 50+ Catch-Up, Standard
Catch-Up, military leave make-up, one-time deferrals
or investment options, refer participants to the
Contributions section of the Commonwealth of Virginia
457 Deferred Compensation Plan website.
The annual limit includes any voluntary contributions
that Hybrid Retirement Plan members make to the
Hybrid 457 Deferred Compensation Plan and another
supplemental 457 plan. Any Roth after-tax or pre-tax
contributions made to the Commonwealth of Virginia
457 Deferred Compensation Plan also count toward the
limit.
VDOT is on Social Media
Stay up to date with the latest VDOT news by
following our social media accounts. Click on
the buttons below to visit the official pages.
Kaiser Permanente
Medical insurance
1-800-777-7902
www.kp.org/mida/commonwealthofvirginia
Delta Dental
Dental insurance
1-888-335-8296
www.deltadentalva.com
Securian Group & Optional Life Insurance
Group and optional life insurance
1-800-441-2258
www.varetire.org/members/benefits/life-insurance/
index.asp
ReedGroup
Disability insurance
1-877-928-7021
www.varetire.org/members/disability/vsdp/index.asp
reedgroup.com/vrs/vrs-employee-virginia-sicknessdisability-program/
MC Innovations (MCI)
Workers’ Compensation Administrator
1-804-649-2288
www.covwc.com
ICMA-RC
Defined compensation plans
1-877-327-5261
www.varetire.org/members/Benefits/definedcontribution/index.asp
Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
State retirement benefits
1-888-VARETIR (1-888-827-3847)
www.varetire.org