Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Hydro Vacuum Excavation: Safe, Accurate and Non-Destructive Digging


One non-destructive digging method that civil contractors can use for their digging or trenching purposes is the hydro vacuum excavation. This method uses a vacuum/suction mechanism to break up the ground and collect excavated materials. The use of this method can bring in the long-awaited need of safety and better work results in many construction projects. How can hydro vacuum excavation benefit the digging or trenching crew?

Emphasis on Workplace Safety

Digging operations at construction and any other civil work projects can become dangerous at time, with many occupational hazards about waiting to happen from the careless use of equipment and leaving excavations unsupported. Even if you are not a civil contractor, you would really know the importance of workplace safety and proper work flow. Sadly, not all contractors and workers do care about this. With deadlines to meet, of what use are safety rules and regulations?

And that’s where hazards can occur. How many news items have you read or watched about construction workers damaging underground pipelines and cable networks and disrupting utility services in the process? What about workers being injured from collapsed excavations? What about the number of cases of fatalities? Where is safety in here if workers do not make their workplace safe or if they use dangerous work methods?

What is Hydro Vacuum Excavation?

Hydro vacuum excavation is a non-destructive digging method and one of the two vacuum excavation methods (the other being air vacuum excavation). Along with air vacuum, hydro vacuum is utilised to replace the more destructive conventional digging and trenching methods in certain sites, especially where there is underground utility assets. In a situation where buried pipelines, cable networks and other assets need to be exposed or day lighted, this is the method to be used and not excavating by mechanical drills, backhoes, crane loaders and shovels.

As the term suggests, hydro vacuum excavation utilises pressurised water in breaking up the ground. That’s for the non-mechanical and non-destructive digging purpose, and did we mention about collecting excavated spoils? It also makes use of high flowing and moving air to collect the excavated material through a vacuum hose or tube into the debris storage tank. These double functions are made possible with the equipment called suction excavator which combines the functions of a crane loader and dump truck - multi purposes of single equipment.

Applications for Hydro Vacuum Excavation

It is never that difficult and laborious to operate a truck or trailer mounted suction excavator. Just one or two personnel will do. Moreover, you can bring this equipment wherever non-destructive digging is greatly needed. Hydro vacuum excavation can be applied along a busy motorway, near public places (like schools and hospitals), near existing building and structures and in protected nature.

Aside from digging and trenching, hydro vacuum excavation can also be used for other civil works including pressure cleaning, tank and pit cleaning and removal of wastes. 

Results Guaranteed

Hydro excavation eliminates the need for manual labour and cuts down on work hours and operation costs. It helps reduce work stoppage caused by inaccurate excavation and workplace accidents and damages. It also helps save time and resources which are wasted in manual digging and operation of machines. Being a non-mechanical, eco-friendly and non-destructive digging method, hydro vacuum emphasises safe, accurate, efficient and cost-effective digging results.

Please contact Yunz Contracting and visit our website if you are needing non-destructive digging for your commercial or industrial projects. 

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Safety Guidelines for Electric Power line Installation and Maintenance


Almost everything these days is somehow connected to electricity. Especially with all the new developments in technology and gadgets, electricity has become one of the most important and most used utilities. However, it is also one of the most sensitive, dangerous and expensive especially in terms of safety and maintenance.

There are many workers that work in different areas from the source until the electrical power itself reaches the users. These are not just any workers, these people are highly trained and qualified to do the job, from power line installation to repairs and maintenance.  The work presents greater risks and hazards because workers are in contact with high voltage power lines. Any mistake can cause injury or even death by electrocution. This is why it is important for to know these safety guidelines to avoid accidents from happening.

When high voltage systems are involved, do not work alone. There should be another person who is either a qualified electrical worker or even just an experienced employee in training when doing something that involves high voltage systems. This is to make sure that when something goes or case of an emergency, there is back up help.

Make sure that equipment used work properly and are well maintained. Since power lines are buried under ground, the use of heavy equipment is employed.  Like in case where a new power line installation is required, diggers and backhoes will be used to dig holes. These machines are powerful and should only be used by those trained to operate it. These should also be checked regularly before using so that they will be not be a cause for accidents. Also, proper training for the use of the equipment should be taught and updated.

Get all information needed regarding trenching and engulfment and its hazards. These are important because workers need to be safe and if they know what they are doing at the same time what they are not supposed to do, then accidents and injuries can be avoided. Training on what to do in cases of emergency should also be provided.

If work is done on high power line poles, safety guidelines and training should also be in place. It is important for one to know how to work in high places. Knowing how to bring up equipment, materials and even how to safely go up and down is as important. Training on what to do in cases of emergency especially while up on the pole is also a must.

People who work in this industry need to be safe because they work with something that is an essential part of day to day activities. They need to know safety not only for themselves but for everyone as well. Electricity and that hazards it can cause is not something to be taken lightly. If you are interested to know more about this there is a lot of information from books or you can search online. The information is good for everyone to know but better especially for those who are interested in this field or know people who do this kind of job.


Looking for non destructive digging services? We here at Yunz Contracting can help. Just visit our site  to find out more. 

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Non-destructive Digging and Its Functions


Diggings and excavations are important part in most construction projects. In the past, the methods used were either mechanical or manual digging. The problem with these two methods is that it either can be a cause of great damage and destruction to underground utilities and assets. Located underground is a web of important and vital utilities like gas and water pipes, sewers, electric and phone cables.  If a backhoe or even just a hand shovel hit a part of one of these, it can cause damage leading to work delays and costly repairs. A burst water pipe or cut electric cable can be a reason to stop operations to give way for repairs needed. Work delays, together with remediation costs will result to more money and time wasted.

The development of non-destructive digging is the answer to this problem that contractors usually face in construction projects. In this method, high pressure air or water is used to break up and loosen the soil, or clay. All the soil, waste and excess water are then vacuumed out into holding tanks using a specially designed nozzle. Air or water as the medium used in making holes is not as risky in causing any damage as compared to machines likes excavators, backhoes and shovels.  Clean up is also a breeze therefore work is faster and more efficient.

Aside from minimizing the hazards to underground utilities, this method is also safer for the trained people who do the job. Risks of injuries are minimal. This, together with knowing that utilities are more protected gives contractors and owners peace of mind, free from too much worry from possible work disruptions and costly damages. 

Non-destructive digging is also beneficial to the environment. It leaves less impact on the surroundings. Even tree roots can be protected and left unharmed from the digging. Foot paths and sidewalks can remain virtually the same after a digging is done within the vicinity. If the digging is done near roads, non-destructive digging also makes it possible for less disruption in traffic flow. Less materials used as well as fewer workers do not cause a big obstruction.

If you want to consider the use of non destructive-digging and see the benefits it can give, then you can go online and look for companies or contractors that provide this kind of service. Searching online is the easiest and fastest way to do this. Try to narrow your search for those nearest the area where the project is located. Check out several websites and see who offers the best service at a fair price. Check the previous projects they have done. Get one that has been in the business for a long time and has a good history of satisfied customers and successful projects. You do not only want to protect you utilities but the whole property and the environment as well. 

It will do you know harm to try this method. You may actually find out for yourself that it will give great results, more than what you expect. 


Looking for non-destructive digging services? We here at Yunz Contracting can help. Just visit our site to find out more.