Dennis Mikula Jr.

Common Safety Concerns in Excavation Projects

Safety should always be your first concern when beginning any construction project. While drawing plans and scheduling crews is important, excavation safety should be a major part of your overall plan. The equipment and tools used during excavation are large and dangerous if not used properly, and we know the ways to go about it safely, with everyone involved educated and on the same page. 

Below are some general excavation safety guidelines to abide by:

1. Stay away from unprotected trench and excavation areas. Falls on excavation sites are extremely dangerous and possibly fatal.
2. Complete daily inspections of the site before any work begins. This includes inspecting the safety measures you’ve put in place to protect those working for you.
3. Be apprised of the weather conditions each day and what it could mean for what you have planned on the job. Be mindful of possible lightning storms coming and workers who could be on equipment that would be dangerous in such conditions.
4. Watch where you keep your heavy equipment and make sure they are not near trench edges. It only takes a minute for the ground to give way and for equipment to fall – possibly on people below.
5. Know where the utilities are on your land and avoid them, especially when using heavy machinery.
6. If there is a raised load, work somewhere else and avoid walking under it if possible. Make sure other workers on the job site do the same.
7. Conduct atmosphere tests. Beware of toxic gasses overtaking oxygen levels, making it very dangerous for workers and their respiratory systems. If levels are bad enough, serious and even fatal consequences can occur.
8. Take protective measures like shielding, benching, and sloping shoring to keep the hazardous movement of dirt to a minimum.
9. Appoint a competent person to take charge of safety checks and inspections. This employee should also have the authority to make immediate decisions to keep workers safe from present hazards, especially in emergency situations.

Understanding the Risks of Excavation Work

There are definite excavation hazards involved with moving earth around, especially for large commercial builds. Depending on the excavation sites, types of soil, and type of excavation you’re planning, the risks of excavation work will change. Some of the main risks you’ll most likely encounter (and should plan to avoid) with excavations include:

• Devastating falls involving workers and equipment
• Equipment (big or small) injuring workers 
• Excavation site collapsing or falling in
• Existing structures falling into the excavation site or falling in place because they have not been strengthened or thoroughly inspected before digging began. This one can end up costing you a lot of money and time, not to mention very unhappy clients.
• Damage to underground cables or lines, including power, gas, cable, and more. This kind of damage can be frustrating for many in the surrounding area but can also be deadly if workers hit the wrong line.

Pre-Excavation Safety Measures and Planning

You cannot underestimate the importance of planning ahead, especially when it comes to safety. “Plan your dig, then dig your plan,” many say. If you come upon something that has not been planned correctly or forgotten altogether during excavation or any other part of the construction project, stop what you’re doing and plan or replan. 

As you plan ahead, take note of the following pre-excavation safety measures:

1. Understanding the job site. Know your site inside and out (literally). Know the soil type you’re working with. Is it sandy, rocky, or predominantly made of clay? What existed at your excavation site before you? Was another building there, or was it an orchard? There are so many possibilities and potential impacts that the land has undergone that you should know about. Survey the area and gather all the information you can before digging.
2. Plan for erosion, just in case. This isn’t ideal, but it is very common. Do what you can to slow or stop erosion if at all possible. 
3. Ensure nearby structures are stable, and brace anything that might need extra stability. If needed, safely remove structures that could be a safety threat now or in the near future as you excavate and build around them.
4. Make a safety plan and educate all workers on protocol and safety measures that will be followed. Train all workers in OSHA standards and other protective measures you are taking.

The Importance of Protective Gear For Excavation Workers

OSHA has strict requirements about how to protect workers during excavation and other construction processes. Protective gear is one way to help provide another layer of protection for your workers. This gear must always be worn while on the job site, even on hot, sunny days. Some examples include:

• High-visibility vests (especially for those that are working around traffic)
• Hard hat
• Protective gloves
• Hearing protection for use around loud equipment
• Safety glasses
• Fall protection equipment like harnesses and ropes.
• Respiratory protection
• Job-specific protective clothing
• Sturdy boots or other shoes
• Long pants and shirts with sleeves

How to Identify and Mitigate Hazards During Excavation

Trenching and excavation work can be extremely hazardous, which is why it’s vital to always be looking out for dangers and mitigating them immediately. Some safety precautions you can take may consist of:

• Placing barriers around the excavation site to keep people from falling in.
• Using fencing to block off areas where people should not be walking or could possibly fall.
• Supporting sides of the excavation area to avoid collapsing and injuring workers or other bystanders.
• Keeping vehicles and large equipment away from the excavation area. Utilize barriers to help mitigate this hazard.
• Marking and protecting underground services by utilizing pipes or avoiding the space completely (or as much as possible).
• Keeping pumping equipment close in case water seeps into the excavation site and must be removed to a safe place. It’s a good idea to also have a plan for where this safe place is in advance!
• Placing warning signs for equipment operators to see. Such signs may be used to help warn drivers/operators of their proximity to excavations.
• Conducting regular, daily inspections of the excavation site to ensure safety for all involved.

Best Practices for Preventing Excavation-Related Accidents and Injuries

Creating an excavation safety work environment will save you, your workers, and other subcontractors from unnecessary hazards on the job. As an owner, general contractor, project manager, or foreman, it is up to you to ensure a safe place to work. 

Mikula Contracting has you covered when it comes to completing excavation projects for commercial or residential projects. Safety is a must in our line of work, and we are trained, equipped, and ready to act on all safety plans you may have, as well as our own. In our minds, there are no other options.

If you’re ready to take advantage of our best practices that are tried and true for quality and safety, give Mikula Contracting a call. We excel in our commitment to excavation safety and will deliver a job well done. Don’t risk an accident or injury. Hire a professional excavator company to take care of everything. 

by Dennis Mikula Jr.

Seven Strategies for Successful Excavation Projects in New Jersey

Like any construction project, an excavation requires planning and strategizing on how to make that plan happen in the best, most efficient way possible. Your excavation project is the very beginning of your new commercial or residential construction project and lays the foundation for your entire build. Check out some of our best strategies for putting together a successful plan for your next excavation project in New Jersey.

1. Go In with a Strong Game Plan

Mapping out the details of your project will ensure that all involved, including stakeholders, are apprised of each aspect of the project. Solidifying roles and responsibilities can help keep everyone moving in the same direction. 

Clearly identifying incremental benchmarks as a goal will keep your workers and project moving smoothly as well as motivate everyone to conquer the next goal you set as a stepping stone to the final goal of a completed home or commercial property.

Each project has unique factors you don’t want to miss when assembling a strong game plan. Don’t forget to touch on each of these points as you prepare for your successful construction project management job. Get your game plan together for your best chance of success. 

2. Manage Your Time

Numerous project delays can be separate from your construction or excavation project. Construction is known for finishing things behind schedule, but you can raise the bar and expect better. While you don’t have complete control over every aspect of the job as a construction project manager, planning as much as possible and good communication allows you and others to get a clear view of your vision and strategies to get there and helps when adjustments to the plan are necessary.

Knowing each step of the project and what they all entail will help you plan for workers, equipment, and material orders. Regularly meet with the experts over each important aspect of the job to stay up to date on what’s going on. Stay organized to keep your workers on task and able to keep busy because the proper tools and materials are on site and ready to go. There’s nothing worse than paying people to stand around because they are waiting for materials to be delivered!

If you’ve ever had the experience of jumping from one disaster to the next as a manager, you know how frustrating it can be. Instead of putting out fires, make a plan that you can effectively work through so that you can put your energy into the project in a more proactive way over the course of the project. Hopefully, as an experienced project manager, you will be able to plan well so that you finish on time and on budget, making your clients extremely happy.

3. Choose the Right Team

You know what having the right members on your team means for your project. Choosing incompetent, unreliable, or dishonest workers will make your managing efforts much more difficult and time-consuming. That doesn’t even begin to touch on the extra money you will have to fork out to make up the time lost for such workers. 

Take a moment to connect with your employees and subcontractors so they know you value their hard work and can communicate with you at any time. Choosing the right team for the project is a must!

4. Be in Constant Communication

Good communication is possibly the most important way to lead a team or even participate as a team member on any project. Communication with your workers and other contractors on the site will be mandatory for success. 

Problems interacting and collaborating can result in a loss of time and money – not what you want to have to happen on your job site! Communicating clearly all job duties and expectations with each role will help reduce confusion and misunderstandings throughout the project. Effective communication is one of the most effective tools at your disposal.

5. Keep an Eye on Your Budget

Just hoping to stay on budget will not get you to your budgeted end goal. Make sure your plans are covered under your given budget and know when certain cost aspects need to be discussed with the client. Understanding the various costs associated with your project will help you not only make better decisions throughout the coming months but keep you on track and on budget. It is critical that you as the construction project manager always keep an eye on the budget and any adjustments to the budget are handled through change orders and documented properly.

6. Take the Time to Understand Your Dig Site

The most successful projects start with understanding your dig site. Do you know about the area and specific spot that you are digging? Find out everything you possibly can about your site including things like what the soil is made up of, and where gas, water, power, and other cable lines are located. Knowing this information will not only keep you and your workers safe, and the environment protected, but also keep your project on track, avoiding delays. It takes extra time and effort to “do some digging” before you actually begin digging, but it will be well worth your time.

7. Be Mindful of Erosion

Any excavating project, big or small, requires thoughtful planning as you consider soil composition, how deep you’re planning to dig, and what measures you can put into place to slow or stop soil erosion. It’s not always possible to completely stop erosion from happening but being ready to do what you can to clear the aftermath of any erosion and prevent it from spreading further is important. 

Work with Mikula Contracting for Your New Jersey Excavation Project

Keeping track of all the details of a project takes a lot of time. Hiring Mikula Contracting for your New Jersey excavation needs will take the stress off the excavation portion of your project, leaving you to concentrate on other parts of the construction process.

Maintain your reliable construction project manager reputation by getting the job done on time, on budget, and with top-notch quality. Contact Mikula Contracting to learn more about how we can help in your construction job and excavation project today.

by Dennis Mikula Jr.

Six Signs Your Land Needs to Be Graded

Considering your land’s upkeep is one of the last things you want to think about, but neglecting it will prove more work than you are ready or willing to undertake. Every so often, you will probably need to do some land grading in order to preserve your landscaping and avoid any future property damage down the road.

Land grading helps adjust the slope of your property to make sure water flows where you want it to, including away from your foundation. Let’s look at some warning signs you may see, clueing you in that your land needs to be graded or re-graded soon.

1. The Ground Is Noticeably Uneven

One of the first signs you may notice when needing land grading done is the uneven ground that eventually develops. Small hills, valleys, or varying ground levels may even appear as the water from drainage problems washes away the dirt in different areas across your property. 

If your existing land grading is no longer looking nice and smooth, consider calling someone that offers professional grading services like Mikula Contracting.

2. You Find Pooling Water

Have you noticed standing water in several places around your yard? This pooling water can be a tell-tale sign that drainage problems are occurring and that the soil is extremely compact and not absorbing water effectively. 

Pooling water can make it so you can’t use your property the way you want, as well as bring an increase of mosquitoes and other bugs. A simple landscape grading or complete yard grading is in your near future.

3. The Grass Is Patchy

Unhealthy, patchy grass or even plants and trees around your land that are no longer flourishing like they used to can be evidence that your property is uneven and either forcing too much water or not enough water into certain areas. 

Even worse, completely bare patches can develop and make your landscaping look like it’s in rough shape! If you have spots that have been walked on or driven on and have become completely compacted so nothing can grow on them, proper grading is your first step to making things right.

4. Tree Roots Are Exposed

When trees are planted, their roots are obviously covered underground with soil. Over the years, soil erosion occurs, uncovering the roots that should still be hidden, leaving them exposed and at risk of being damaged or infested with bugs or other pests. You don’t want to lose the shrubs and trees that you’ve been growing for the last several years!

Besides the less-than-desirable appearance, exposed tree roots can become a dangerous tripping hazard for you and your family. Adding some additional soil and completing some land grading will allow water flows to absorb into the ground how they should. Then your roots will stay planted without pulling out of the ground due to the increased weight of the tree or shrub and depleted soil. 

5. Clogged Infrastructure

We put measures in place on our homes and include them in our landscaping to divert water and prevent damage from being done. When these drains, gutters, and more become clogged with leaves, grass, twigs, and dirt coming from the lawn, you have a big problem! All of these water-diverting infrastructures are built to take water away from your home or other buildings, but when your land is not graded properly, they become clogged and don’t protect your home any longer.

6. Cracks in Your Foundation

Water in the basement, or drainage issues that have resulted in pooling water up against the concrete foundation of your home (underground or above ground), could end up costing you big. Cracks in your foundation start small but can get worse quickly. If you have any of these warning signs happening, contact a professional contractor to take a look at your foundation to be sure of its structural integrity, as well as complete land grading immediately. 

Make Sure Your Land Is Properly Graded with Mikula Contracting

Varying weather conditions change your landscaping and overall property grading over time. As landowners, we do what we can to slow the process from happening, but we can’t stop Mother Nature from doing what she will. When your property needs some attention, Mikula Contracting can help with any land grading services you need and more. 

Maybe you don’t know if it’s grading that you need– could it be something else that’s amiss? If you’re unsure what issues you are dealing with, we can help with that too. You can be confident that we will investigate and not only find the problems but also resolve them in a timely manner, whether it has to do with land grading or not. Contact our team today for a quote and to learn about how we can revive your property.

by Dennis Mikula Jr.

Preparing Your Construction Site for Excavation

Any kind of construction work is a big deal. Preparing properly will help ensure minimal complications throughout the process. Before you can prepare your construction site for excavation, it’s important to have a good set of plans. Proper planning includes being in communication with your municipality to ensure everything is up to specifications and follows local regulations and guidelines. It’s also important to understand what your site needs are and to communicate with your utility providers in order to know who will be installing what, and what you will need to hire out yourself. 

Let’s look at some things you should think about before the work begins as well as some planning, testing, and more that should take place to do the job right.

What to Consider Before Work Begins

Quite a few tasks must be done before your construction project can begin. Each step is crucial and must be done to ensure you are choosing the best site and plan for construction. Read more to learn about details that are vital to planning for a construction project. 

Soil Testing

Testing the soil is critical to determine what your site land is made up of. Most importantly, soil testing allows you to test the land’s ability to absorb water as well as hold the structure you want to build on it. You may find your dirt contains mostly rocks and is relatively stable. You could find that your site is made up of clay material which can experience moderate ground movement. On the extreme end, you may find the soil is extremely soft and cannot be built on at all.  Soil testing is a must!

Survey the Site

Ensuring that your chosen site is right for your project is important. If your building doesn’t fit on your building site, you want to know sooner than later so that you can change plan designs or make other needed alterations. 

During the site survey, you decide where everything will be placed, including any structures, utilities, and other important features. Marking these things on your site is an important part of being sure that you’re building in the correct area as well as ensuring that you don’t damage any underground utilities that are already in place. You’ll learn more about the slope you’re working with, as well, and how it will affect how excavation is done, how your foundation will be poured, landscaping, and more. 

Site Investigation

A geotechnical site investigation is essential in determining what kinds of rocks, soil, and groundwater are underneath the site. During a site investigation, your site will be evaluated to plan your structure’s foundation. As site conditions are studied, findings can be used to ensure no surprises occur during construction. Groundwater will also be evaluated during this investigation. If the ground isn’t suitable for the type of construction project you’re planning, changes will have to be made in either the project plans or site location. 

Analyze Any Underground Infrastructure

Reducing or ideally eliminating damage to underground infrastructures is important as you prepare your site for excavation in New Jersey and the construction work that will follow. These underground infrastructures may include utilities like:

• Water
• Electricity
• Gas
• Phone lines
• Internet cables

Other types of underground infrastructures may be things like:

• Loose-fill
• Tree roots
• Other existing structures that are buried

Site Design Planning

Creating a site plan design can be exciting. You’ll collect data that you’ve received from your survey, geotechnical investigation, soil testing, and more to make your plan. This plan will include details such as septic tank placement, drainage systems, your planned structures, etc. 

You will want to get your site design plan reviewed by the county and/or city to ensure everything meets the zoning requirements and the area’s building codes. Once all your plans are approved, you can obtain the permits necessary for any needed demolition or other work that needs to be completed. Things are moving right along!

Mark the Boundaries of the Project

It’s important to know the proper boundaries of the land and the project you’re working on. Your neighbor may tell you what the boundary is, but that may be completely different from the actual boundary. Getting a precise boundary determination will help you avoid any unpleasant or bothersome conflicts down the road with neighbors. A boundary determination will establish your boundary through surveys, measurements, and marking. 

Clear the Site and Compact the Soil

When it’s finally time to clear the site and start grading the area, you are about ready to start the building process. It’s getting real now! 

If any trees or tree stumps need to be removed or structures need demolition, that will take place at this point using very heavy equipment. Any kind of added dirt fill and leveling out the ground is all part of the construction site preparation. Adding important site access roads or site prep areas for construction workers can also be prepared with the equipment on site while grading the land.

The final part of the land preparation is compacting the soil so that it can handle the weight of any structures or other things that will be placed on it. During soil compaction, the dirt is pressed together (usually mechanically) to get rid of any free space between each soil particle. This is all to reduce the amount of settling that occurs during and after the construction process. Sinking soil can affect the integrity of the whole structure. Other reasons soil compaction is necessary are:

• It reduces water from seeping into unwanted areas.
• It provides a stable work area.
• It increases how much weight the soil can hold.

Not all soil reacts the same way when using the same soil compaction methods. Therefore, soil test information can be very useful in determining the best and most efficient way to compact the soil on your site. Once the soil is compacted, excavation can officially begin!

Consult Our Excavation Experts for Your Construction Project

Mikula Contracting knows all about construction site preparation and excavation in New Jersey. All the small (and large) details are second nature to our fantastic crew. Mikula Contracting gets busy taking care of all the preparations mentioned above and more so you can reach your final goal – your finished construction project where you can make great things happen. 

Give our team at Mikula Contracting a call to learn more about our residential and commercial excavation services today.

by Dennis Mikula Jr.

Five Ways to Reduce the Environmental Impact of Excavation

With any excavation project in New Jersey, there are a number of aspects that could impact the environment negatively. It’s easy to wash your hands of the topic and leave it to your contractor. But it’s important to take accountability and ensure you find a contractor who is equally invested in protecting the environment. 

Whether you are ready to hire a team for a commercial excavation or a residential excavation, you should always know how your project will impact the environment. What questions can you ask? Here are a few ideas of where to start. 

1. Reuse and Recycle Materials

First and foremost, what happens to all the rocky dirt after the excavation of a building foundation or pool? What soil or clay can be saved in the process? 

Talk with your team about the steps included in excavating a plot of land. If demolition is involved, the building can always be scavenged for materials worth saving, whether it be flooring, appliances, office equipment, or electrical wiring.  The owner is welcome to remove and keep items prior to demolition.

Once the land is ready to prepare for new construction, where does all the excess dirt go? What happens during the excavation process? At Mikula Contracting, we promote the recycling and reuse of any salvageable backfill during the project. In particular, rocky and sandy soil can be used to create concrete or utilized as extra soil during landscaping projects.

2. Properly Dispose of All Waste

There is a greener alternative to waste disposal. Instead of piling all undesirable dirt into a landfill, the soil can be sorted by rocks, clay, and sand. Construction projects can very easily have a negative impact on the environment. Choose a company that is conscious of the amount of waste during the construction process. Are they making a significant effort to reduce waste in the construction site? 

3. Have a Plan for Erosion and Runoff

A big part of excavation in the construction industry is planning for the future. An excavation contractor not only digs a foundation that will last for now, but they also consider erosion and water pathways during the construction and into the future, ensuring longevity for the structure and for environmental safety. 

Will the water runoff go through wet cement and lead to chemicals spreading into other properties and contaminating soil? This issue is always a consideration on a safe construction site. These factors should always be considered at the start of the project when starting a new building excavation in New Jersey. 

We construct pathways that will keep water runoff on our property. We pool the water on the construction site and use it to spray the area to reduce dust. 

4. Reduce Your Dust Production

What is another aspect of the environmental impact of construction? While some dust is inevitable during an excavation project there are ways to reduce the production of it. For example, having access to water and hoses can help and scheduling during a damp or rainy day can also assist with keeping dust to a minimum

At Mikula Contracting, we actively work to take responsibility for our dust production. The site is kept wet or damp throughout the duration to minimize the production of dust spreading into other properties. If loose materials are organized into stockpiles, the piles are covered to eliminate the spreading of dust throughout the construction project. 

In addition, we always try to work on reducing noise pollution in the area. No one wants to suffer from irritating, repetitive noises when trying to sleep or concentrate. We consider all surrounding residential and commercial neighbors as precisely that– neighbors. And we work to build trust and harmony with them. We are conscious of the environment and the people in it. 

5. Consider Your Diesel Consumption and Carbon Emissions

The truth is that excavation in New Jersey requires equipment that is not considered environmentally friendly. The diesel consumption of one truckload is enough to negatively impact the surrounding air quality. To combat this, Mikula Contracting does its best to reduce the number of vehicles whenever possible through proper planning. For example, if the job site is large, contractors can ride together to other areas of the project instead of driving individual vehicles. 

In this vein, we always consider alternative fuel sources at Mikula Contracting. When possible, we use hybrid equipment meant to reduce carbon emissions on the work site. And if we have to use trucks and machinery with diesel engines, we are always conscious of minimizing carbon emissions. This means taking fewer trips back and forth to soil treatment facilities and job sites. We do not run the machinery when it is not in use. And each machine operator is highly trained on the environmental impact that construction equipment can have if used irresponsibly. 

For an excavation project, there can be a lot of back and forth from a job site for trucking and dumping. This can often use a lot of fuel contributing to increased carbon emissions and diesel consumption.

At Mikula Contracting we always consider our diesel consumption and carbon emission, we avoid idling and try not to keep trucks and equipment running when not in use. In fact, good planning, efficient scheduling, and proper routing to and from job sites can help reduce the use of fuel and limit carbon emissions.  

Protect the Environment During Your Excavation Project with Mikula Contracting

Are you ready to complete your New Jersey excavation project with Mikula Contracting? We have the experience and professionalism you need to complete a project in a responsible manner. Speak with our planning team to ensure we are on the same page before the project begins.

by Dennis Mikula Jr.