New York is an incredibly bustling state, teeming with vitality and creativity. In order to keep up with the demands of this hub, New York 811 is working tirelessly to improve the excavation practices occurring throughout the region. To discuss this further, this piece will delve into the nuances of excavation and describe how New York 811 is looking to educate others of more suitable strategies,
Types of Excavation
Excavation comes in many different forms, all of which play a unique role in the construction industry. Listed below are just five of the most popular types of excavation.
- 1. Basement Excavation: Uses an array of heavy machinery to help create more space below a property. This type of excavation is normally used to create more storage or other facilities such as an indoor swimming pool.
- 2. Dredging Excavation: This is a niche form of excavation that is carried out in large bodies of water, helping to remove excess sediment and debris. Dredge pumps are often used to create more environmentally friendly water supplies.
- 3. Rock Excavation: This form of excavation occurs when contractors are met with a series of robust rocks that cannot be easily removed. It often requires specialist equipment like hydraulic blasters, explosives, and rock saws.
- 4. Pit Excavation: Carried out to produce large holes in the ground to help with mining quarrying, or archeological projects.
- 5. Underwater Excavation: This process is conducted under a vast body of water to help construct major water supplies such as pipelines and offshore facilities.
What Is New York 811?
First established in 1990, New York 811 is a prominent non-profit organization that aims to increase supportive communication among utility companies and those planning construction across the five main boroughs of New York. This institution also acts as an educational platform for companies looking to conduct safer digging practices, helping to protect the citizens of these prosperous areas. New York 811 hosts a plethora of informative seminars, presentations, and training programs about this purpose, giving it the chance to share its message with other industries across the US.
New York 811 also offers a pair of membership options, which those working on underground utility lines must join. The first option, Participating Members, is suitable for utility companies, municipalities, and those who are striving to improve New York and Long Island’s long-standing underground infrastructure. The second option is named Sustaining Members and is open to companies who do not own any underground utilities but are motivated to learn more about how they can foster a better sense of damage protection.
What Is Excavation Education?
Since May 2019, the law now requires any municipality or operator that conducts excavation work to ensure that its employees complete a strict training program to help them carry out their work with safety in mind. This law also created an amendment to the NYS Code Rule 753, making it a crucial part of any excavation project,
As such, New York 811 produced the New York 811 Excavator Training & Education Program, helping workers throughout the state to carry on with their projects without the risk of any excessive damage. This course is also available online and can be completed for free, making it very useful for contractors who are working on a budget.
New York 811 has also founded the Youth Education Program, to help the next generation carry out safer practices. This program was developed with children in mind, using suitable language and anecdotes to help the youth understand the importance of these practices. This training program is also free for educators to use, again, making it a very useful resource for underfunded schools and youth community groups.
Why Is Excavation Education Important?
Reduces the Risk of Environmental Damage
Our planet is already under a lot of pressure and inappropriate excavation practices can make the situation a lot worse. With the right education, key excavation contractors will have adequate resources to ensure that rural landscapes are protected across New York. For example, contractors can learn how to carry out sustainable farm drainage practices so that they can save wildlife and their habitats. If you are carrying out extensive outdoor renovations, you also have the chance to learn more about the native wildlife and how it can be preserved, even in the most urban communities.When working alongside a lot clearing service, it is also important that you educate them on the types of wildlife found in the areas so that they do not accidentally eradicate them in their process.
Keeps Jobs Moving Smoothly
With more contractors trained to the highest possibility, New York is able to promote a highly skilled workforce. This can help more people move into this lucrative profession and ensure that projects have enough staff to complete excavations with ease. Education also ensures that these workers can continue to find passion for their trade, helping to increase morale and reduce job turnover throughout a number of vital industries,
Abide by the Local Law
Since it is now mandatory for excavators to complete a training program before they work on any excavation project, excavation education can ensure that your company follows the laws of the state. This can eliminate the chance of your business experiencing any negative repercussions and help your business maintain a positive reputation. Therefore, your business can continue to operate and work to defeat the competition in this incredibly dynamic industry.
Protects Workers
Whether it’s heavy equipment or unsanitary working conditions, excavation can pose a lot of risks to the workforce. By completing the New York 811 Excavator Training & Education Program, your workforce will learn how to complete essential tasks safely, avoiding any accidents or injuries on-site. This ensures that your employees are able to come to work consistently, and you are not left with staff shortages or delays.
Limits Destruction of Popular Areas
Local home builders may also have to carry out some smaller excavation projects, particularly if they are working in a very busy area. With the right skills and training, these workers will be able to complete these projects in a timely and swift manner, without causing too much disruption to built-up areas.
How Can Excavation Accidents Be Prevented?
Test for Hazardous Gases
Harmful pollutants are a huge risk for many construction workers, making them vulnerable to a plethora of conditions including asthma, COPD, and bronchitis, Commercial drilling services should also be wary of these risks as research shows that oil and gas drilling is one of the most prominent sources of air pollution in the US. To prevent this, workers must be provided with a series of protective gear including masks and gloves. Companies must also test for low oxygen to ensure that employees can safely work underground.
Conduct Regular Inspection of Trenches
Merriam-Webster defines a trench as a long, narrow, and usually steep-sided depression in the ocean floor. These trenches are used to support the installation of underground utilities such as communication lines, water mains, and gas pipelines. Due to their major importance, it is vital that these depressions are regularly assessed to ensure that workers can continue to use them. Workers should check the quality of their trenches before and after every shift and alert a senior member of staff if they notice any dynamic changes.
Ensure That You Are Using High-Quality Equipment
Every piece of equipment experiences wear and tear over the years, but it is vital that workers do not use any items that could put them in danger. Aim to maintain vehicles at least once a month and replace any construction equipment as soon as you notice any damage. Although this can seem like a vast cost to your business, it will help to reduce the number of accidents occurring on-site and help to keep your workers happy and healthy.
Identify Any Surrounding Utility Lines
Utility lines are a crucial part of any city and can cause a lot of detrimental issues if they are broken or damaged. Thus, it is paramount that you alert your workers of any utility lines located below or above them so that they can help the state run smoothly. If you do accidentally hit a line, contact New York 811 immediately. If the line starts emitting a harmful substance, evacuate the area as quickly as possible and alert the local authorities. Water well services should also be careful in this situation as any leaks can contaminate the native water system.
Gather Any Legal Documents Beforehand
Though it may not be the most important precaution, it is vital that businesses collect all the necessary legal documents before they let any excavators carry out their jobs. This could include land development entitlements as well as any site plan approvals. By gathering these documents in advance, your employees can get to work straight away and will not be halted by any bureaucracy.
Benefits of Working With Trained Excavation Contractors
1. Ensures a Proper Cleanup Process
Excavation is undoubtedly a dirty job and requires an extensive cleanup process to ensure that communities can carry on with their normal lives. Working with a trained excavator ensures that your site will be rid of any harmful material and can get back to normal as soon as possible. This also reduces the strain on traditional cleaners who may not have the skills needed to handle a project of this scale.
2. Helps to Save Money
if you hire an untrained or novice excavator, you run the risk of experiencing some serious issues, many of which may be expensive to fix. This can lead to unexpected costs to your budget and less chance to make a profit. Thus, working with a trained professional helps to minimize these risks and helps your business to remain on target throughout the entire construction process. It also ensures that your money is not going to illegal excavators and is actually helping to fund those who take the profession seriously.
3. Keeps You and Your Community Safe
Many state officials will not hesitate to close down a site if they notice any unprofessional or unsanitary practices. This could lead to immense consequences for your local areas such as water loss, reduced crops, and restricted access to healthy soil. An educated excavator is specially trained to notice any risks on-site and help to alter them as soon as possible. Thus, your project is more likely to adhere to local guidelines and ensures that your community can benefit from your work.
4. Working With State-Of-The-Art Equipment
If you are eager to carry out a hefty excavation project, it is paramount that your workers use the most suitable tools. This is particularly important if you are working underwater or looking to shift large rock structures as these projects usually require specialist pieces of machinery. Trained professionals usually have prime access to these tools and know how to use them effectively, giving them the chance to complete their projects in good time and safely.
Accidents are a terrifying ordeal and cause many construction sites to close down immediately. With help from New York 811, your organization can become more familiar with the intricacies of excavation and how to avoid any of these devastating issues. New York 811 also provides a wealth of free resources to ensure that communities across the state can be educated in typical safety practices. Thus, your business can continue to complete lucrative projects without having to worry about the well-being of your staff.
