Nighttime Construction Guide
Nighttime construction is necessary in the industry because of cooler temperatures and less traffic and congestion. The ability to work more efficiently comes when the heat and daytime activity won’t slow down the process. Working at night has several benefits, and there are several factors to consider for the safety of your crew, your customers, and the public.
You should always prioritize safety and develop a thorough training program for your crew. Know the best equipment for night work and have a nighttime construction work plan that puts everything into perspective. You’ll be rewarded with a well-organized construction site that produces superior results.
THE BENEFITS OF NIGHTTIME CONSTRUCTION
While the lack of traffic and activity are popular reasons for planning nighttime construction projects, there are countless other benefits offered by working at this time of day, including:
- Minimal effect on traffic flow
- Reduced risk of traffic accidents
- More flexibility in the work zone to safely complete your project with less traffic interference
- Workers not exposed to as many safety hazards or automotive emissions
- Decrease of pollution from burning fuel
- Cooler temperatures are more favorable for concrete setting
- Increase in productivity due to worker comfort in cooler temperatures
- More lanes can be closed at night to allow for work activities
- Less intrusive to area businesses that would be negatively affected by the construction happening during their business hours
- Lower costs to set up and run a nighttime operation compared to a daytime project
Doing construction during the off-peak hours allows you to lower your costs and work freely and efficiently. You should carefully oversee and manage your job sites to overcome the challenges of nighttime construction and avoid or reduce the many risks associated with construction work at night. Develop a plan that addresses all the issues and reap the benefits of a job well done.
Top 4 Considerations for Evening Construction
While working at night brings many advantages for your operation and crew, there are some things that you’ll need to be aware of to ensure you maintain a high standard of efficiency and safety.
1. Lighting
When working on a construction site at night, it’s crucial to design a high-quality lighting strategy to ensure your workers have the required visibility. Setting up the right lighting will allow you to work productively while keeping your crew and passersby safe. You can determine which lighting devices are best for your site based on a few different factors, including:
- Work zone: Understanding whether your work area is a moving or stationary work zone will allow you to determine whether you need fixed pole-mounted luminaries or a mobile lighting system to follow your operations.
- Project scope: Factors such as the size of your construction site, its location, your traffic control plan and any obstructions will greatly influence what lighting you need and whether you’ll purchase or rent your equipment.
Before work begins, walk or drive through your site to conduct a field check. Doing so will ensure every part of your site is adequately lit with balloon luminaries, light towers or any other job site lighting equipment. It’s also wise to keep invading light and glare in mind to develop strategies to eliminate both from impacting the surrounding area.
2. Noise
Noise is everywhere, and you’ll likely need help eliminating it from your work site. However, you can take some precautions to reduce the presence of excessive noise, such as utilizing noise barriers or curtains. It’s also smart to find out what the noise regulations are for your state, province or municipality so you can decrease the risk of violations and remain in good graces with the local authorities.
Diesel vehicles, backup alarms, milling equipment, grinding machines and crushers are some of the loudest equipment found around construction sites. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to reduce noise and do the job correctly. From simple acts of individual workers to designing your site to require less noise and using noise reduction products, you can do construction and keep noise nuisances to a minimum.
Consider the following tips to decrease the noise around your construction site:
- Design a site to minimize backing up.
- Train operators to turn off equipment when not in active use.
- Surround jackhammers with a noise tent.
- Create staging areas for truck cleanouts.
- Utilize equipment designed to reduce noise.
3. Dust and Vibrations
Dust and vibrations are common issues experienced within and around nighttime worksites. Dust appears more of a problem on night work sites because it’s more visible from the artificial lighting accentuating the floating particulates. Simultaneously, vibrations can spread through the ground and can irritate nearby humans, animals and unstable or historic buildings, especially when in the low-frequency range of 1 Hz to 100 Hz.
Being aware of the effects these factors can have on your workers and surrounding environment is crucial to maintaining a safe worksite. Here are two performance-oriented machines that can help you address these factors:
- Water trucks: Using water trucks is an effective strategy to spray water across your site to weigh down dust and prevent it from becoming airborne.
- Hydraulic brooms: Hydraulic brooms are excellent ways to keep your worksite clean and debris-free.
4. Safety
Creating a safe construction zone is a high priority for everyone involved. These environments are often filled with various risks, including low visibility, glare, traffic control, staffing challenges, vehicle speeds and more. You should evaluate any possible risks and determine strategies to avoid accidents and eliminate any associated expenses.
From location integrity and project schedule to available equipment fleet and contract demands, every construction site is unique. Each factor affects how you’ll develop your risk management plan. At the very least, you should ensure all your workers wear highly visible outer garments and leverage the highest quality equipment possible. Additionally, consider the following ways to develop and maintain a safe nighttime construction site:
- Implement a safety program.
- Inform workers of safety standards before work begins.
- Recognize and reward your team for adherence to rules.
- Investigate all accidents and safety oversights.
- Offer an alcohol and substance abuse program.
TRUST WARREN CAT FOR YOUR NIGHTTIME WORK
Regardless of your project, Warren CAT has the products and services to help you get the job done right. We offer new and used Cat® equipment that will offer the best features for your construction project. Every model we manufacture is built with cutting-edge features to address a variety of nighttime construction concerns, including noise and visibility.
If you’re interested in testing the durability and dependable technology of our equipment or need some equipment for occasional use, our rental options will serve you well.
We’ve got you covered for dependable mobile generators, light towers, a vast selection of low-vibration compactors and rollers, trailers, trucks and other equipment that works hard to get your job done right. We also offer many redesigned Cat equipment engines, transmissions, cooling fans, air intakes and tires, offering extreme benefits, especially regarding noise.
PLAN FOR YOUR SUCCESS
While many moving parts require your attention to make nighttime construction run smoothly, planning your project intricately is crucial for success. A well-conceived construction work plan will have you covering all the necessities to fulfill your project obligations safely and efficiently.
Whether searching for the right machine or devising a sound safety plan, you can trust the team at Warren CAT to support your operations. Learn more about our Cat equipment and check out our exhaustive supply of aftermarket services and technology offerings to optimize your performance.