Concrete Logic Podcast: Building Knowledge and Pouring Wisdom, One Episode at a Time

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

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*** 

Episode References
Guest: Dave Mulcahey | GPRS | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dave.mulcahey@gprsinc.com⁠
Guest Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gprsinc.com⁠, https://www.gp-radar.com/safety/concrete-safety-week
 
Producers: Jodi Tandett, Jace Stocker, Michael Butler
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Host: Seth Tandett, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seth@concretelogicpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Host LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-tandett/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/concrete-logic-podcast