You will need to dig up the ground at some point in your construction project. In most cases, the excavation will happen at the onset of the project to pave the way for the foundation of your structure. The excavation process will require lots of resources and strict adherence to safety guidelines. It is imperative to get all these things in order if you want to pull it off successfully. Unfortunately, most people taking on new projects may not have all the information they need to take on excavation. Here is a discussion that will help you if you are one of them.
The Equipment You Need
The first step to carrying out excavations is making sure that you have the right tools for the job. Thankfully, you have several options when it comes to the applicable equipment. The most popular ones include the following:
- Crawler excavator — Crawler excavators come with a set of heavy-duty diamond or steel endless tracks that propel the equipment. They are ideal for excavation in construction sites where access conditions may not favour a machine with ordinary wheels. Generally, the machines feature a bucket fitted to the end of a hydraulically-powered arm. The powerful arm digs and lifts debris from the ground.
- Long-reach excavator — A long-reach excavator has a similar mechanical set up as the crawler excavator. However, it has a lengthier arm and boom section that enable you to excavate the hard-to-reach sections on the site. The boom section is flexible and highly adjustable.
- Backhoe loader — A backhoe loader features a loader, tractor and backhoe. The tractor propels the loader on the ground while the loader helps you pick up debris during excavation. It is fitted to the front side of the equipment. On the other hand, the backhoe takes up the task of digging up hard and compact soil layers. It sits on the backside of the equipment.
Taking Safety into Account
Excavations pose a safety hazard to your crew, and you need to take certain measures for their safety. For example, there is a risk of excavated areas caving in on workers as they go about their business. You can protect your team by excavating the sides of the section to form a series of levels or steps with vertical surfaces between the different levels. You can also bring in secondary barriers to hold the excavated areas in place.
Wet Conditions
When it rains, there is a high risk of excavated areas collapsing and causing injuries. Therefore, you should consider installing dewatering equipment at the start of the undertaking. Dewatering pumps and bags are an ideal choice for you at this stage.
To learn more, contact an excavation service.
There are still many people do not believe that women should be involved in DIY or construction jobs. My blog is here to prove them all wrong. My name is Connie and I have always been interested in construction and repair work around my home. Rather than just sitting back and letting someone else take care of the problem, I like to get stuck in so I can try and learn something. However, sometimes there are jobs I cannot do on my own. However, when I call in a contractor, I always take the time to chat with them so I can pick up a tip or trick which will help me in the future. I hope you like the articles on my blog.