1) What to Do if Your Excavator Hits a Gas Line

Mishaps like rupturing a gas line can happen even with the best preparation and land surveying. In 1998, a construction crew in St. Cloud, MN, struck a gas line, which caused a significant fire. This incident caused three buildings to incur fire damage and fifteen persons to get hurt. All of this started when a crew member accidentally cut a small section of a plastic gas pipe while drilling a hole.

Upon realizing you hit a gas line, notify the supervisor right away. The supervisor or another senior member should direct everyone to remove all ignitable objects from the premises, including switching off all engines and electric machinery. If there is enough gas in the air, anything that may ignite a spark can cause an explosion—next, dial 911 or your local emergency services.

• Don’t Fill a Borehole Where the Pipe Was Ruptured
• Don’t Backfill an Excavation Where the Exposed Pipe Was Damaged
• Don’t Attempt To Repair the Pipe
• Don’t Attempt To Extinguish Any Fires That Result From the Leaking Gas
• Always Call 811 To Mark Nearby Utility Locations Before Starting Excavation Work

Hitting a gas line is a serious safety liability. When you put our excavators to use, please be aware of the location and depth of all underground pipelines. When you are ready to start a contracted project, contact Active Excavator Rentals for reliable excavation equipment and advice.

The most common cause of power outages is harsh weather. Once the power goes out, you won’t be able to use your lights or charge your electronics, which also halts work. This is why keeping a backup generator that can provide the same power level on short notice is important. The generator should have the necessities, such as additional fuel tanks and distribution boxes. Some towable lights come with built-in generators.

Pumps are critical for moving water and removing sediment. An industrial-grade pump keeps flooding at bay during heavy rainstorms. A good commercial pump should have drainage pumps and dewatering pumps.

Excavators and other equipment can prematurely wear if exposed to water for prolonged periods. The same goes for the attachments, like the breakers and packs. The equipment and machinery become vulnerable to developing rust.

Heavy physical labor can wear on the body and mind under cold and windy conditions. Having an on-site heater keeps everyone warm and improves overall work conditions. Heaters also help maintain moisture in the air, preventing poured concrete from prematurely drying.

With fall approaching, the weather will soon cool down, which may mean formidable weather that can impact worksite operations. This makes storm readiness all the more critical. Contact Active Excavator Rentals if you need an excavator for an upcoming project. Learn more about us and how we serve contractors all over Bothell. 

When the workday is done, the construction site supervisor delivers a daily report to the headquarters that contains a performance summary for the day. Often, this will include details like:

• All Finished Work
• Obstructions To Work Progress, Such As Equipment Troubles or Rough Weather
• Injuries or Other Hazardous Incidents
• Equipment & Tools That Incurred Damage & Will Require Repairs

Today, daily reports are done digitally using report filing software and submitted through email or a cloud network. With modern software, you can easily create a suitable report using many pre-existing templates.

A construction report should have these sections:

• Formal Cover Page with the Construction Project Name, Location, & Date
• A Paragraph-Long Summary Describing the Work (e.g., Excavation, Demolition)
• Daily Attendance Sheet & the Role of Each Crew Member
• Equipment List, Including Vehicles * Their Attachments (Input the Number of Hours or Minutes Each Piece of Equipment Was Used on That Day)

Learn about us and our extensive inventory of high-quality excavators and attachments. Contact Active Excavator Rentals with questions about our equipment for rent. Even with rented construction vehicles, be sure to log in their use in your construction daily report.

The excavator needs to be prepared. When the metal parts are exposed to water for a long time, they are especially prone to rust. To prevent further damage, lubricate joints, links, and stick pins regularly, as the oil can act as a barrier of protection.

We suggest lithium grease since it can endure both freshwater and saltwater conditions while submerged completely. Apply grease twice daily if you know the excavator will be exposed to water. We advise putting oil on the excavator once per hour if it will be in use most of the time.

If you hear grinding noises from the attachment, this indicates that the joints and pins are drying out and need re-oiling.

The undercarriage is made of metal and may be exposed to pools of water. Applying thixotropic spray is a helpful fix. The same technique is applied to safeguard metal components in ships and offshore rigs. The liquid seeps into metal surfaces and stops rust.

At Active Excavator Rentals, we ensure our excavators are fit for use around water. However, you must take precautionary measures to offset wear. Excavators and water present an additional concern, but modern construction vehicles are generally fit for use near aquatic environments. Learn more about us and our line of excavators and attachments for rent.