INNOVATION May-June 2017

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Yellowhammer construction. Frequent rain days and the excessively wet site conditions created difficulties for even the massive earth-moving machines, and delayed construction. The client and developer were informed of the situation, which allowed stakeholders an opportunity to adjust their expectations and confirm the priorities. They could either accept potential delays in the project schedule or allot additional funds to avoid extensive delays. Meanwhile, the project team’s upper management searched for solutions. All parties agreed to a decision to add lime and kiln dust to the oversaturated subgrade to reduce its moisture content and allow production to continue. Lime helped the excessive water in the soils to evaporate, while kiln dust offset the overall water content of the soils by increasing dry weight. The additions proved effective and, by slightly bumping up the daily productivity, the project saw no delays in the overall schedule. When lime and kiln dust were placed on the over-saturated ground, they produced a cloud of white–grey dust, which expanded and migrated depending on the wind. Lime can irritate the eyes and skin on contact. At one time, when a load of lime was deposited, a gust of wind blew a plume of lime dust around a nearby field engineer. Despite the safety procedures in place and his wearing personal protective equipment, including sealed safety goggles, his safety was at risk. Field personnel reacted quickly to get into the engineer’s truck and drive him away, preventing further harm. The occurrence was reported to the field crew lead and was brought to the attention of the project supervisors and health and safety supervisors. As a result, a protocol of a minimum required safe distance was introduced immediately to prevent similar events. The new required distance applied not just to the lime/ kiln-dust truck drivers but to everyone working in the field. Prior notification via radio before placing lime also was added to the safety protocol.

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