Bristol - On the Road - Oct-Dec 2022

Technician of The Year:
Chris Harris
Oakwood Shop Senior Equipment
Technician ll Chris Harris has been
named the Bristol District’s 2022
AEMP Foundaon Technician of the
Year. The annual award is presented
to the individual who exemplifies the
heavy equipment profession’s best
technician.
Harris has been employed with VDOT
for more than four years. Before
VDOT, Chris was employed for more
than 18 years at Ford as a senior
diagnosc diesel mechanic, and also
spent three years as a diesel
instructor at the Southwest Virginia
Community College.
Within his first two years at VDOT,
Chris became a Tech ll by successfully
acquiring all the relevant ASE
cerficaons. Chris has been known
at mes to go to other district shops
to assist in diagnosc work. His
supervisor, Dave Adams, shared
examples of how Chris has saved
VDOT and the public me and money
by successfully diagnosing and
addressing issues in a mely and
fiscally responsible manner.
Safety Spotlight: The Cold Stress Equation
The Cold Stress Equaon: Low Temps + Wind Speed + Wetness = Injuries &
Illness
When the body is unable to warm itself, serious cold‐related illnesses may
occur, and permanent ssue damage and death may result. Hypothermia
and frostbite are two ways cold weather can have a negave impact on your
health.
Frostbite is an injury to body ssues caused by exposure to extreme cold,
typically affecng the nose, fingers, or toes.
Hypothermia is the condion of having an abnormally low body
temperature, typically one that is dangerously low.
For informaon on what to do when someone experiences hypothermia or
frostbite, visit cdc.gov and search “hypothermia.”
How to Protect Workers
Learn the signs and symptoms of cold‐induced illnesses/injuries and
what to do to help the worker.
Recognize the environmental and workplace condions that lead to
potenal cold‐induced illnesses and injuries.
Select proper clothing for cold, wet and windy condions. Layer
clothing to adjust to changing environmental temperatures. Wear a hat
and gloves, in addion to underwear that will keep water away from
the skin (polypropylene).
Take frequent short breaks in warm, dry shelters to allow the body to
warm up.
Chris describes his hobbies as “Doing
Mechanic Work.” He owns a garage
in the
community
where he lives
and the garage is
usually busy with
friends and
family seeking
his mechanical
advice and in his
own words,
“watching me work.”
Perform work during the warmest
part of the day.
Avoid exhauson or fague
because energy is needed to keep
muscles warm.
Use the buddy system (work in
pairs).
Virginia Department of Transportation
Bristol District - Office of Public Affairs
2111 Bonham Road
Bristol, VA 24201
276-669-6151
michelle.earl@VDOT.Virginia.gov