Here Comes Mud Season: Is Your Job Site Ready?
No matter how much you may hate it, there’s no stopping mud season in California. What is just an inconvenience for many can create serious issues on a job site. We’re talking about damage to your materials and equipment and slips and falls. We’re talking about mud getting into sewer systems, creating havoc in the works, and making the neighborhood you’re working in look terrible.
The good news is that Grove Hardware is here to do more than just offer our expertise when you need to buy construction supplies – we’re also here to help you run a successful job site. Read on to learn more about the best tips we have to deal with the mud that’s coming your way.
Handling mud on tools and boots
Of course, the best way to deal with mud is to try and avoid it. Walk around your job site and add protective materials where they’re needed. If you’re driving to a job site via a dirt road or a gravel road, place geogrids to ensure that equipment and vehicle loads are evenly distributed. This will help prevent ruts.
We also recommend not doing grading work while your site is wet or even if you expect wet water to be coming within 24 hours. Try to do what you can to protect any exposed soil from issues like water erosion and wind, but remember that you can’t do it all.
What to do when your vehicles and / or equipment gathers mud
If you do find mud in your tire treads, or even the undercarriage, then Grove Hardware recommends that you get rid of it before you leave the job to ensure the mud doesn’t create a hazard on the local roads. One option is to create a wash-off area just off the jobsite, where the workers can hose down their trucks and equipment. Just make sure the area has a good drainage situation or you’ll be creating more mud.
How to reduce the chance of slip and fall accidents
Mud is slippery and can cause workers to slip. Mud can also build up within the treads of boots, which makes it easier for workers to slip. When you consider that workers aren’t just in danger of injuring themselves, but could be in mortal danger due to the heavy equipment and power tools they’re carrying, it’s easy to see that it’s important to take steps to prevent falls.
At Grove Hardware, we can help you find the right geogrids that will protect your soil and help keep the mud from forming at all, as well as additional traction you can lay down, such as planks to walk over. In short, we believe that every job site needs a mud plan and Grove Hardware is ready to not only help you come up with yours but to make it a reality. Stop by or give us a call at 909-544-4331 for more information.
