11 minute read
PAUL HANSEN EQUIPMENT, INC
Civil General Engineering in a COVID-19 Era at Paul Hansen Equipment, Inc.
Insight from Paul Hansen Equipment, Inc. on the Challenges Facing Civil Engineering amid COVID-19
The effects of COVID-19 have impacted nearly all industries, and construction is no exception. Chief Executive, Alasdair Reisner of The Civil Engineering Contractors Association, stated that the industry can play an important role in rebuilding the economy post-pandemic if construction companies are able to continue operations while protecting their workforce and adhering to public health guidelines and procedures. At Paul Hansen Equipment Inc., we are innovating our current strategies and protocols to help create more versatile and efficient ways of managing jobsite restrictions.
While the construction industry faces economic uncertainty, we are implementing cutting-edge safety measures to keep workers safe and healthy on today’s essential jobsites. These added safety practices have slowed productivity due to the increase in down time for social distancing measures, cleaning tools, vehicles, equipment, and more. However, with much of our work requiring street access, the reduced traffic flow from vehicles and pedestrians has improved setup and make-ready times.
The primary change we have implemented with our current heavy machinery procedures is matching-up a piece of equipment to one single operator whenever possible, eliminating multiple contacts with the equipment. We are also thoroughly spraying and wiping down each piece of equipment with a CDC recommended cleaning solution at the beginning and end of each day, as well as in between uses if a different operator needs to use the equipment. Most of the machinery utilized by Paul Hansen Equipment Inc. includes single operator cab setups, making it easier to adhere to city and state COVID-19 mandates. The major modification we have made is to have operators in closed cab equipment keep all doors and windows closed so they can remove their face coverings while operating the machine.
These changes have also significantly impacted our project management teams as they work to stay educated, implement and inform / train our field teams on the new safety policies and
Jason Mrozek, Vice President, Business Unit Leader at Paul Hansen Equipment, Inc. (PHEI).
procedures. These protocols are new for everyone on our project teams, as no one is used to spraying disinfectant on equipment, has experience with the new levels of cleanliness required to operate heavy machinery amid COVID-19, or maintaining social distancing while still executing the work, so consistent and daily communication with our teams is vital.
This need for increased communication in reaction to the pandemic has forced many construction businesses to quickly advance their opinion and adoption of technology for online and virtual
Above: A Paul Hansen Equipment, Inc. operator and crew member help maintain public safety by placing trench plates over their active work areas at the end of a shift. The project pictured above is a total replacement and upgrade of a hydronic pipeline loop at the University of California, San Diego.
Right: Paul Hansen Equipment, Inc. specializes in civil site utilities and grading work. Such a broad scope of specialties requires expertise in many forms of equipment, such as the skid steer pictured to the right.
ways to connect with employees and customers. As a result, I believe the civil engineering side of construction will take a step back and look at the way we hold meetings, attend conferences, and collaborate internally and externally. We have increased our use and frequency of Zoom and BlueJeans meetings and are utilizing the video feature as much as possible to increase a feeling of connection and help counteract the impact social distancing has created with less field interaction on jobsites. The use of virtual meetings has also helped us to communicate with employees whether in the office or in the field in real time versus waiting for weekly meetings.
In a post-COVID-19 world, I believe many of these newly implemented approaches to technology will become part of the “new normal,” which could lead to significant financial savings and increased productivity from virtual real-time problem solving and less time lost from travel to /from jobsites. These new construction technologies will play an essential role in rebuilding the civil engineering construction industry, despite the setbacks that resulted from COVID-19.
Beyond the labor and material aspects being affected, another challenge we are facing is our ability to receive rental equipment in a timely manner and to schedule repairs on owned or rented equipment. Every time equipment is repaired or rented it now needs to be cleaned thoroughly, which is creating a longer turnaround time than normal. Most of the rental and repair companies we utilize have reduced their hours of operation and staffing to adhere to city/state COVID-19 mandates as well, but there has been no decrease in the need for equipment. Therefore, we have learned to be more proactive in scheduling rental and repair requests for equipment to help prevent any impact to the execution of our work.
I do not believe any of these newly implemented COVID-19 operational changes will be going away anytime soon. I foresee that face coverings will be needed for quite some time to help reduce the spread of the virus. I think we will need new solutions to adapt to these COVID-19 policies, such as customized PPE that works with our current safety glasses and face covering requirements. Currently our team is having issues with glasses fogging up while wearing face coverings on the jobsite, which presents a safety hazard.
I also expect there will be an increase in the utilization of technology in response to COVID-19, such as mapping services to help projects identify existing
Above: Beyond focusing on wet utility work, Paul Hansen Equipment, Inc. is also skilled in executing on the dry utility needs of their clients. Above, an operator and leadman put the finishing touches on a medium voltage loop that will help bring power to the nation’s largest Battery Storage Plant located in Otay Mesa. Having experience across a variety of utility types enables PHEI to provide our clients with a single-sourcing opportunity, removing headaches that can arise with multiple utility contractors trying to work alongside one another in the same area.
underground utilities and existing conditions with the use of advanced technology and equipment, versus traditional potholing that requires a lot of hand digging and workers in close proximity to one another. The use of mapping services will require more upfront planning and cost, but its ability to help reduce field issues during the execution of work, as well its ability to help to adhere to social distancing guidelines, will reduce costs in the long run. Additionally, I believe the industry may need to develop smaller pieces of equipment to supplement work activities that previously required multiple workers, working within 6-ft. of one another, to complete the work as this becomes the “new normal.”
My biggest piece of advice to those in civil engineering construction facing similar obstacles in our current construction environment is to not lose focus on the human impact as well. Our industry has done a good job implementing new safety protocols but monitoring the emotional well-being and behaviors of our team members is just as important. Over-communicating with your field teams and partners, seeking feedback, and acknowledging or addressing their concerns is critical. We are all in this together.
{ Continued on page 28 }
Above & Right: Paul Hansen Equipment, Inc. became a best-in-class utility company by expanding into technically difficult projects located in the streets of urban San Diego. Pictured above and right, an operator and pipefitter begin their shift by opening up street work trenches surrounded by a bustling University campus.
Left Operating equipment requires incredible expertise, executing the work without disturbing or damaging existing infrastructure. To the left, a Paul Hansen Equipment, Inc. operator stays focused on the work out ahead, while also utilizing the proper PPE.
{ Continued from page 26 } About the Author:
Jason Mrozek, Vice President, Business Unit Leader, Paul Hansen Equipment, Inc. (PHEI) has 17 years of construction industry experience and been involved in a wide variety of high-profile construction projects in the community, including the SDCCD Miramar College Police Station & Parking Structure, which earned a LEED Platinum Certification. In his leadership role at PHEI, Jason has robust goals in both sales and scope of services, while growing his team at a safe and stable rate. Jason also donates a significant amount of time and expertise to serve his community. He has been a Board Member for the San Diego Boys & Girls Clubs for the last 6-years, and previously served as an ACE Mentor at Patrick Henry High School. In prior years, Jason championed the Rady Children’s Hospital Shamu & You Walk and Annual Telethon, helping to raise more than $33,000.
About Paul Hansen Equipment, Inc.:
Paul Hansen Equipment, Inc. seamlessly executes complex underground utility projects that involve the installation of water, storm drain, sewer, fire systems, backflows, gas and electric pipelines. One of the larger site utility companies in the San Diego region, Paul Hansen Equipment has been serving Southern California since 1969. From complex jobs requiring a concise sense of detail to large-scale jobs requiring strong time-management skills, Paul Hansen Equipment, Inc. is known for efficiency, completing jobs on time, on budget and with exceptional customer service. Possessing long-standing relationships with many of the top builders and general contractors in the San Diego County region, Paul Hansen Equipment, Inc. continually strives to maximize client outcomes and deliver an exceptional client experience. For more information about Paul Hansen Equipment, Inc. go to www.paulhansenequipment.com. Cc
SAN DIEGO 619.263.2251 SAN MARCOS 760.761.0500
www.diontrucks.com
2018 INTERNATIONAL ® HX™ SERIES
New 2018 International HX 620 6x4 Severe Duty 15’ Construction Dump. 58,000 GVW: Cummins X15- 505 HP/ Allison 4500 Automatic 6-Speed W/OD/ Driver Controlled Front and Rear Lockers/18k Front 40k Rear Axles/ Truck Loaded with Polished Fuel Tank and Wheels/ 15’ Steel Construction Body with Hardox Floor/ Trunion Mount Rail Hoist System With Full Cab Shield, Spreader Apron and Ditch Gate/ 48” Sides with 60” Power High Lift Gate. HD Asphalt Rated Tarp Sysyem/ HD Air Hitch with Glad Hands and Led Lights. Unit#N8708
Contact Loyd @ 619-263-2251
Full-Size Performance, Short-radius Agility and Quiet Operation COMPACT YET TOUGH MINI
Model : SK35SR-6E Program : 0% for 54 months and 90 Day deferral options for qualifying customers
WORK SMARTER – NOT HARDER
www.scottequip.com Serving California For 50 Years!
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA’S PREMIER EQUIPMENT DEALER
Fontana / 909-822-2200
14635 Valley Blvd., Fontana, CA 92335
Santa Fe Springs / 562-777-0775
10918 Shoemaker Ave., Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
SALES • RENTALS • PARTS • SERVICE MINI EXCAVATORS / SKID STEERS BACKHOES / SKIP LOADERS
2018 MANITEX 30100C 30 TON STK# 72560 – $218,000 NEW UNITS AVAILABLE
916.440.8090
Crane Division
www.coastlinecd.com Headquartered: Sacramento, CA cranesales@coastlineequipment.com “Your Crane and Boom Truck Headquarters”
SALES | RENTAL | PARTS & SERVICE
2016 TADANO GR900XL
90 TON STK# 45189
$560,000 SALE – RENT – RPO
2020 MANITEX 2281T 22 TON STK# 80859 – CALL FOR PRICE RENTAL PURCHASE OPTIONS
2020 ELLIOTT L60R STK# 90386 – NON CDL MODEL AUTO TRANS – CALL FOR PRICE
2020 ELLIOTT 30105F 30 TON STK# 83638 – NEW UNIT RIDE ALONG OPERATOR CONTROL STATION
2016 TADANO GR750XL
75 TON ROUGH TERRAIN STK#62702
$495,000 NEW UNITS AVAILABLE 2018 TADANO MANTIS GTC800
88 TON TELE CRAWLER
CALL FOR PRICE
2020 MANITEX 1970C STK# 90766 – CALL FOR PRICE FORD F750 – AUTO TRANS
2020 MANITEX 40124SHL 40 TON SWING CAB MACHINE STK# 85974 – CALL FOR PRICE
2017 TADANO GR550XL 55 TON STK# 45188 – $345,000 NEW & USED MACHINES IN STOCK
