EP #072: GPR - Enhancing Concrete Sawing & Drilling Safety

In this Concrete Logic Podcast episode, Seth interviews Dave Mulcahey from GPRS about concrete sawing and drilling technology and the importance of safety in the industry. They discuss the major technology for scanning concrete: ground penetrating radar (GPR). Dave explains that GPRS uses GPR to locate post-tension cables, electrical conduits, and rebar in or below concrete to ensure safe sawing and drilling. They also talk about Concrete Sawing and Drilling Safety Week, an annual event dedicated to promoting safety in the industry. Dave shares the key steps and precautions that workers should take to avoid accidents and injuries. They discuss the process of scanning concrete, the limitations and applications of GPR, and the integration of GPR data into building information models (BIM). Dave emphasizes the importance of communication and collaboration between project managers and contractors to ensure safe and efficient drilling and cutting. They also address common safety issues, such as slips, trips, and falls, and exposure to silica dust. Takeaways Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is a technology used to scan concrete and locate post-tension cables, electrical conduits, and rebar. Concrete Sawing and Drilling Safety Week is an annual event that promotes safety in the industry and educates workers on the dangers and precautions of concrete cutting and drilling. Communication plays a crucial role in scanning concrete, consulting contractors, and ensuring the safe execution of drilling and cutting. GPR technology provides a cross-sectional view of the concrete, allowing workers to identify targets and plan drilling and cutting accordingly. Silica dust exposure is a significant concern in the industry and measures should be taken to minimize exposure and protect workers' health.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Ways to Support the Podcast 02:29 Introduction to Concrete Sawing and Drilling Technology 04:24 Concrete Sawing and Drilling Safety Week 09:07 Process of Scanning and Safety Protocols 12:12 Overview of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Technology 15:57 Limitations and Applications of GPR 17:19 Integration of GPR Data into Building Information Models (BIM) 20:32 Role of GPRS Project Managers 22:13 Recommendations for Cutting and Drilling 23:51 Concrete Safety Week and Common Safety Issues 25:48 Addressing Silica Dust Exposure 27:18 Participation in World of Concrete 28:37 Contact Information and Conclusion *** Did you learn something from this episode? If so, please consider donating to the show to help us continue to provide high-quality content for the concrete industry. Donate here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/support/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ***  Episode References Guest: Dave Mulcahey | GPRS | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected] Guest Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gprsinc.com, https://www.gp-radar.com/safety/concrete-safety-week   Producers: Jodi Tandett, Jace Stocker, Michael Butler Donate & Become a Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/support/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music: Mike Dunton | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.mikeduntonmusic.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Mike_Dunton⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Host: Seth Tandett, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Host LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-tandett/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/concrete-logic-podcast