How to Deal with Mud and Sludge on Construction Sites

September 15, 2020 11:08 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

If you’ve spent any time in the construction industry, you already know that a great deal of it takes place outdoors, which makes job sites susceptible to the elements and everything that goes along with them. This means that your crews will have to deal with everything from extreme heat to driving snow, and all kinds of other weather in between.

One thing that you do have some control over, however, is the maddening mud and sludge that can gum up construction sites. Muddy soil during construction in Jeffersonville, IN can cost you money and time if it’s not addressed properly, so knowing how to deal with it is a critical part of job site efficiency.

Why is mud so bad?

Mud and sludge can spell disaster on a job site because they instantly make everything slower and more dangerous in a variety of ways. Anyone who’s ever walked through mud can tell you that it makes for slow going, while also sapping energy. However, the toll on heavy machinery with tracks in Jeffersonville, IN can also be severe. When dirt is soaked in water, the mud that results can be triple or even quadruple the weight as the same volume of dirt. This means machines have to work all the harder to move it, which decreases efficiency and can exacerbate wear and tear on your heavy equipment.

Can mud be dangerous?

As a matter of fact, muddy soil during construction in Jeffersonville, IN can be quite dangerous. Mud is not only a drain on schedules and wallets, but it can also be dangerous to workers and machines alike. Slips and falls in mud can result in injuries to your workers, and employees with muddy boots are far more susceptible to having accidents on ladders, stairs and scaffolding. Site excavation, which is one of our specialties, can also become more dangerous if the proper precautions aren’t taken. Wet soil doesn’t cooperate the way dry soil does, especially during activities like trenching, so you need to be sure you’re working with pros like our team at Estes Excavating Inc. who know how to do the job safely.

What are some tips for dealing with mud?

As always, safety should be the highest priority on your job site. You can set up workbenches on covered, dry areas to be sure they stay level and protected. You should also train your workers on how to deal with muddy soil during construction in Jeffersonville, IN—keep them up to date on best practices and make sure everyone is prepared if wet weather is in the forecast. You should also be comprehensively inspecting all equipment and structural materials after rainfall to make sure everything is safe to use and operate.

Construction is a business that can’t afford to stop due to adverse weather conditions. There are schedules and budgets to keep, but that doesn’t mean you should ever let safety slide. There are a variety of techniques that will allow work to continue on your site even when Mother Nature takes a turn for the worse. For more information about what Estes Excavating Inc. does to keep excavation and other construction projects safe and efficient, reach out to us today.

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