Innovative Safety Technology at Mortenson's Data Center Project
Keeping Our Team Safe
Innovative Safety Technology at Richland Parish Data Center
In the world of construction, safety and precision are paramount – especially when locating underground hazards like 86-year-old, high-pressure gas lines and abandoned wells. Brian Nelson, Senior Superintendent II, and Jopy Willis, General Superintendent, recognized this could be an issue at the Richland Parish Data Center project, which sits on over 3,000 acres of land. They knew simply potholing was not the safest option, and that there was a need for innovative technology to enhance safety for everyone on the project.
Did you know?
Potholing is a construction method where a small hole is placed in the ground through a process called vacuum excavation. Once the hole is deep enough, it is possible for a construction or inspection crew to confirm the presence of utility lines visually, and water or sewer pipes.
Learning from other industries
To address this, the team borrowed a strategy from the oil and gas industry by employing MagArrow Scan technology. This technology, which had never been used on a Mortenson data center project, used drones equipped with advanced sensors to detect abnormalities in the Earth's magnetic field. This bold, new approach allowed the team to locate metal objects deep underground, such as gas lines and old wells, which might not be documented or easily found through traditional locating methods.
Brian remarked, "The accuracy of the scan was a lot more detailed than I thought it was going to be. It was crucial in identifying a previously unknown gas line on our project site."
The scan not only uncovered this hidden gas line, but also validated the locations of old irrigation and gas wells, which were previously inaccurately mapped. The precision of the scan significantly narrowed down these locations, ensuring that construction teams could avoid potentially dangerous areas. This technology acts as a vital safety check, preventing accidents that could seriously endanger team members and disrupt projects.
In addition to the scan, the project also employed innovative solutions like bridges to allow large equipment to safely traverse over gas lines without applying pressure directly over the gas line, risking disruption to the gas lines, resulting in leaks or more catastrophic events. The scan gave the team the precise location to place the bridges.
"These bridges are multifaceted," said Jopy. "We're using them not only to navigate over gas lines but also to cross wetlands, ensuring that our logistics remain efficient and safe."
The MagArrow Scan's ability to detect these hazards is not just about safety; it's about efficiency and accuracy. By identifying these underground features, construction teams can plan their projects with greater confidence, knowing they won't inadvertently hit something dangerous underground. This proactive approach to safety and planning is a testament to our team’s commitment to innovation and the well-being of its workers.
A comprehensive plan for using the MagArrow Scan is being documented and shared as a new approach publicly on ACC, a construction management platform used on the project. This will make this process public and accessible to trade and general contractor partners, giving them information that could be critical to their scope of work at Richland Parish and beyond!