General Excavating

A potentially catastrophic situation...
A catastrophic release of petroleum from an underground storage tank system entered an underground pedestrian walkway that connects the Bryan LGH - East parking lot with the building's physical therapy, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation center. Petroleum began seeping into the soils surrounding the tunnel and coming up through the cracks while omitting vapors that created an unsafe environment.

Emergency response providers were called to respond to the situation. The team of General Excavating and Olsson Environmental assessed the situation. It was decided that General Excavating would first break the concrete above the contaminated area and remove the rubble via bobcat. The skid loader maneuvered in the garage area and hauled it to a dump truck located outside of the parking garage over 500 feet away. Once the concrete was removed, mini-excavators excavated the soil from the confined area and dumped each bucket into a bobcat for delivery to the dump truck. Crews then proceeded to fix the leaking fuel lines by re-routing them with braided expansion hoses along the ceiling. A liner was then placed to help the passive venting system and to prevent vaporous odors from seeping through the walkway. Once the venting system was put in place, the area was backfilled and new concrete was laid. Walls and railings were put back in exact location.

The purpose of this project was to provide the safest and quickest method for removing the contaminated soils and provide a proper venting system. Partnering with Olsson Environmental during the entire process aided in stopping the potential catastrophic situation. This project has been submitted for an ABC Excellence in Construction Award.

According to Suzanne McMasters, Director of Public Relations at Bryan LGH Medical Center, "We are extremely grateful for the help General Excavating gave us. From a public relations perspective, this project could have been difficult to deal with. As it was, because of the crews of General Excavating, we were able to accommodate our customers' needs in a way that was a win-win situation for everyone."

PROJECT MANAGEMENT TEAM:
Mike Stewart, Project Manager
Dan Erickson, Project Foreman
Steve Stowers, Operator
Jerome Masek, Operator

Recently, General Excavating achieved the Well Workplace Bronze Designation.

"By successfully meeting rigorous health promotion standards, you have clearly demonstrated your commitment to improving the health and well-being of your most valuable asset - your employees. Moreover, by achieving this designation, your organization will be recognized as one of America's Healthiest Companies."
- David Hunnicutt, Ph.D.
and President of the Wellness Councils of America.

General Excavating has invested great efforts into building a quality health promotion program and integrating it into the way their organization does business. Efforts from all employees and management to help reduce health risk factors contributed to General Excavating receiving this tremendous award. This award demonstrates the enormous dedication to the establishment of a Well Workplace!

In an effort to help keep the employees of General Excavating healthy and well informed, the 3rd Annual Health Fair was held on October 28, 2000. This annual event provided flu shots, blood pressure and cholesterol testing, as well as height and weight screening, audio screening and postural alignment analysis. Several pamphlets and other informational aids concerning several areas of health issues were available. All employees and their spouses were welcome to attend - free of charge.

"The wellness of employees at General Excavating is a priority! This is just one way we show it!" says Amy Bolton, PHR, Human Resources Administrator.

Harold Herron is taking a hearing test.

Getting his blood pressure tested is Dan Hlavac.

Photo of the Quarter Winner is Steve Bliss. His photo is taken at a westlands lagoon site in Sarpy County. Many types of equipment are being utilized on this project site. Each quarter, employees enter photos in our contest for a chance to be published in our newsletter and win $100. Congratulations Steve!