Vacuum Excavation Mitigates Risks, Prevents Costly Damages

Following the building boom many years ago came the need to lay down pipes and cable wires underground in what civil works contractors claimed as a move to protect such utilities from aboveground damage. They bury such utilities to protect against ‘human error’, weather elements and other occurrences that can come as damaging contact with the utilities. However, there has been reported much damage to underground facilities. Many miles of pipes and cables became vulnerable to damage as construction companies dig the earth. These utilities are then exposed to possible hazards which could result to multi-million damages.

To prevent damages to the utilities or hazards that could result from damaging them, construction industry leaders need to implement best practice policies with regards to excavation works. For this, they need to adopt safe excavation procedures, one of which is vacuum excavation, a non-destructive digging method. Vacuum excavation is fast becoming a preferred digging and trenching method in construction site excavation. Along with other non-destructive excavation and potholing methods, vacuum excavation is a recognised safe practice in all states.

The construction industry would like to see a hazard-proof excavation or utility location, which vacuum excavation makes possible especially in areas inaccessible to huge earthmoving equipment. In lieu of mechanical tools or equipment, a vacuum excavator truck is utilised to break up the ground or surface with pressurised water or air. With a vacuum hose, the excavator can pull out the dirt and debris and convey it to a storage tank which is mounted on the truck for later backfilling or disposal. The use of controlled and pressurised jets of water or air is indeed safer than backhoes, pole punchers and other equipment, and faster than shovels, augers and other hand-held tools to locate and expose any underground utility.

Vacuum excavation allows workers to work safely around water pipes, gas lines, electric cables, fibre optic lines and other utilities, uncovering them without striking and damaging them. On the economical aspects, this non-destructive digging method can help prevent primary consequences resulting from the strikes:

• Power outages
• Utility service interruption
• Disruption of essential services including hospitals and airports
• Gushing water
• Fire and explosion risks
• Business losses
• Traffic congestion

However, the secondary consequences from damaging underground utilities include:

• Death and injury – Workers expose themselves to potential injury or death when they strike dangerous utilities like gas pipes and electric cables.
• Criminal liability – Contractors could be facing charges for exposing their workers to hazards.
• Environmental pollution – This results from hitting gas lines and damaging sewerage systems.
• Financial liability – Utility service providers will seek damages from construction companies.
• Project delays – As contractors seek to answer to authorities and affected utility providers and pay compensation for affected workers, works get suspended temporarily.
• Financial trouble – Contractors need to pay for damages and compensate workers, not to mention experiencing greater losses over the delay of work.

Certain utilities are buried to prevent damages on them. Likewise, as we uncover them, we then expose them to potential damages. So as to avoid costly hazards and its consequences, contractors should look into non-destructive digging methods, one of which is vacuum excavation.

Are you in need of a non-destructivedigging contractor? Contact Yunz Contracting today for service.