June Is Safety Month – Learn About Mikula Contracting's Commitment to Safety
June is Safety Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of safety measures in various industries. At Mikula Contracting, we take safety seriously and prioritize the well-being of our employees above all else by taking special measures to avoid injuries and fatalities.
With a focus on excavation safety and demolition safety, we ensure that our team is equipped with the knowledge, tools, and protective gear necessary to mitigate potential hazards and maintain a safe work environment.
The Importance of Safety Measures
In any industry, safety measures are of utmost importance to protect workers and reassure clients that the work is being performed in the most conscientious way possible. When it comes to excavation work, specific hazards need to be addressed.
Trench collapses, for instance, pose a significant risk. Serious injuries could occur if employees are not trained to support the trench sides or put up barriers to ensure no one falls into the trench.
Demolition safety is also paramount. No matter which demolition method you use, heavy items falling from a controlled explosion or an excavator moving heavy materials back and forth could lead to injuries to individuals who are in the wrong place at the wrong time. In these cases, most accidents can be avoided.
At Mikula Contracting, we take extensive precautions to protect our workers from such hazards. Our team of professionals ensures that appropriate protective measures are in place.
Employee Requirements
Training for our employees is essential to avoid demolition or excavation hazards and ensure that our team members are properly protected. We can create a safer working environment by equipping our employees with the necessary knowledge and protective gear.
If you are considering a construction company that does not prioritize excavation or demolition safety, it is time to move on to a company that takes safety very seriously. Ask tough questions to see who is ready with a safety plan before moving forward with a company that does not require employee safety training.
Pre-Job Safety Considerations
Before any excavation work begins, pre-job safety considerations are carefully considered and entered into the planning process. Trenching and excavation safety plans are unique to each project and should be performed by a competent person. The excavation-competent person is also designated to call out any safety concerns on-site, classify soil, clear sites authoritatively, and perform inspections.
Factors like the slope or bench configuration and soil type are carefully evaluated to determine the appropriate safety measures. Is there a risk of collapse? Has the soil been tested to ensure it is free of toxic substances? All of these things should be assessed before moving forward on the project.
The plan may include protective measures, such as shoring, shielding, or sloping to prevent cave-ins. Access and egress points are adequately protected, allowing safe entry and exit from trenches. Excavation hazards are thoroughly evaluated, and our team receives regular training on recognizing and mitigating these hazards.
For a demolition safety plan, the employees may plan for fire safety, first aid services, and locating any nearby utilities. A demolition-competent person should always be on-site to inspect the demolition site and identify any safety concerns.
Conducting thorough pre-job safety assessments ensures that our employees are well-prepared and equipped to handle their challenges. Then nothing catches us by surprise when a hazard does arise.
Jobs Where Safety Issues May Cause Concern
Specific jobs may pose particular safety concerns. For example, projects involving steep slopes or benches require additional precautions to prevent accidents and ensure worker safety.
Similarly, the soil type can influence the stability of trenches and the potential for cave-ins.
Demolition safety includes preparing for falling heavy objects, toxic materials hidden inside the building, or danger from explosions used in demolition.
What Kind of Safety Issues Can You Expect?
Excavation and demolition safety comes with identifying potential hazards that could arise during a project, such as:
- Cave-ins
- Falling objects
- Hazardous soil or materials (lead or asbestos)
- Utility-related accidents
- Demolition-related accidents
At Mikula Contracting, we proactively address these concerns through thorough safety training. Our team is taught to identify potential hazards and take immediate action to mitigate risks, ensuring a safer work environment for everyone involved.
How We Handle Safety Issues
At Mikula Contracting, we adhere to the guidelines and regulations set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We regularly review and update our safety protocols to meet or exceed industry standards.
Our commitment to safety includes conducting thorough inspections and providing continuous training for our employees. A proactive approach to excavation and demolition safety is key to preventing accidents and promoting a culture of safety and responsibility.
Protective Gear We Require
To ensure the safety of our employees, we require the use of appropriate protective gear. This includes personal protective equipment (PPE) such as hard hats, high-visibility vests, safety glasses, gloves, and steel-toed boots.
We also offer hearing and respiratory protection and harnesses for those working from great heights during demolition. If an employee ever feels unsafe, we encourage open dialogue to brainstorm and come up with a solution before continuing the project.
Mikula Contracting Considers Safety Above All Else
At Mikula Contracting, safety is a top priority. We are committed to providing a safe working environment for our employees. By prioritizing excavation safety and demolition safety, adhering to regulations, and continuously improving our safety practices, we strive to set a high standard for the industry.
Working for an excavation company does not have to be a risky job. When employees choose to work with a company that values their safety and adheres to strict safety protocols, they can feel confident going to work daily. In addition, clients feel more comfortable when employees prioritize safety on the job.
June is safety month, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of implementing safety measures in all industries. Trust Mikula Contracting for your excavation or demolition needs, knowing that we put safety above all else.
Mikula Contracting Announces Upcoming Move to New Location in Clifton, NJ
Big things are continuing to happen at Mikula Contracting!
After 77 years in business and more than 50 years at our location, we are excited to announce we are moving our headquarters to a new location in the upcoming months. As a family-owned and operated business with many generations of Clifton roots, it was important for us to continue to keep our company where it all started back in 1946.
This next generation of the Mikula family is making their mark on the business by building a new state-of-the-art facility. Our strategic move to our new location includes developing new capabilities to drive the production and safety of our team while increasing the overall capacity needed for our continued growth. This facility will give our team some of the top resources in our industry as we continue to improve efficiency and operations as the premier land improvement contractor in New Jersey.
We would like to thank our clients, referral partners, vendors, friends, and family for their support, cooperation, and continued partnerships as we continue to deliver our work with the same service and commitment throughout our move to our new facility. As a third-generation family-owned and operated business owner, I cannot be more excited for what the future holds for us as we continue to expand on our ability to service our clients at a premier level.
I look forward to having you visit our new headquarters once completed.
Have a great day!
Best Always,
Dennis Mikula, Jr.
President
New Jersey “Family Business of the Year” - 2020
CIANJ “Companies That Care” Award Winner - 2022 & 2023
New Jersey Land Improvement Contractors of America “Safety Award” Winner - 2021 & 2022
Soil Remediation Project in Newark, NJ
In New Jersey, it is a common practice that a test pit excavation is ordered before construction starts on a commercial and/or residential property. If there is any reason to believe that the soil is contaminated, the soil needs to be remediated and replaced with new soil.
Property openers or those who represent the property owners like environmental consultants will order a test pit excavation to be sure the construction is not built on contaminated or unsafe soil. Read on to learn about a local soil remediation project in New Jersey that was recently completed by our team at Mikula Contracting.
The Project
We were hired for a test pit excavation at a site in Essex County, New Jersey. When we conducted the test pit excavation, which was originally scheduled as a 2-day project, contaminated soil was discovered and it was found to spread even further beneath the surface.
At that point, the test pit excavation became a full soil remediation project. Our 2-day contract turned into an ongoing soil remediation project which called for the removal of soil from the site. Certified material needed to be hauled onto the site to replace the outgoing contaminated material.
The environmental cleanup will likely take months in order for it to be environmentally compliant for commercial use. Once the remediation is complete, the site work can continue with the clean material now on the property.
Equipment Used
We used a variety of equipment to get the job done right for this New Jersey test pit excavation. In addition to the equipment, we needed more laborers on the site to work on this unexpected project. Some of the equipment included:
- Excavators: The excavators moved out large amounts of soil to be transported away.
- Clean Backfill: Once the contaminated soil that was discovered in the test pit was removed, we had to fill the empty area with certified material. It took soil testing to determine how much soil needed to be removed and replaced.
- Trucking: We used trucking to transport the contaminated soil away from the property and bring in new certified material.
- Stone: The project required stone to be removed from the deep pits that were being built. New stone was also implemented throughout the project.
Once we pivoted and started on the new project, we were able to provide the proper equipment and professionals to get the job done.
How Long Did It Take?
Once we knew that the project would be longer than expected, we took the time to organize a new plan. When soil contamination is discovered at the site of a proposed commercial project, the client must address the problem. In order to have a commercial property approved for site work and construction, the owner must provide their certified material paperwork.
Once a new plan was presented to the client, we started on the project as soon as possible. After months of work, we are still not finished. The soil remediation efforts have continued as soil contamination was discovered deeper and wider through our test pit excavations on the site. We will continue to work for a few more months on this project in order to provide a clean and approved site.
How the Team Handled Surprises
When the unexpected happens, the best you can do is learn the scope of what needs to be done and organize new plans for the labor and equipment needs. We reviewed the new plan with the client and got started.
We also ran into some weather-related delays as we worked on this project. With our company, safety always comes first, so we stayed in constant communication with the client as there was no reason to waste time and take risks on a project in unsafe site conditions.
Contact Mikula Contracting
Learn more about how Mikula Contracting can help you with your New Jersey test pit excavation service. Certified contractors are used to dealing with the unexpected. You never know what you’re going to get when you start excavation.
Our team is skilled at talking with the client and keeping them updated on each step of the project. If we discover something significant in the test pit excavation, we work alongside an environmental team to provide solutions for the site.
Failing to treat contaminated soil conditions could cause poisoning from lead, arsenic, or other hazardous substances. In addition, if you grow vegetation on the soil and eat vegetables, you can ingest the harmful substance through the food. Soil discoloration, strong odors, and the absence of plant or animal life near the property may be signs of contamination. Pouring cement and paving asphalt over the contaminated soil will not make the problem go away. Soil remediation is vital to owning a safe and certified property. Contact Mikula Contracting for a consultation on your property if you suspect any soil contamination.