Construction business owners know that renting heavy equipment for projects can pay off in multiple ways. It can fill fleet gaps, sidestep capital expenditures and provide access to the best machine for the job. In addition to equipment, projects require temporary infrastructure. A well-organized site that is set up for success leverages temporary infrastructure in ways that streamline day-to-day operations and make the jobsite safer and more productive.
A large, full-service rental equipment partner can help project managers identify the best rental assets for the project, jobsite and budget, and guide them to opportunities to optimize site efficiency in ways they may not have considered.
Ground Protection Mats
One prudent move contractors can make during project mobilization is to plan for and install ground protection mats around the site. These mats, made of wood or composite materials, “bake in” increased efficiency by facilitating the safe, smooth movement of people and equipment.
When used to create temporary roads, bridges and parking lots, ground protection mats reduce or eliminate delays caused by mud. Muddy conditions can set a project back by days or weeks, eating away at profits. Mats also minimize wear and tear on equipment, reduce restoration costs by reducing soil compaction, provide clean staging areas for materials and support heavy equipment such as cranes during operation to help prevent tip-overs.
A vendor that rents and leases a wide variety of mats can advise on the best type of mats for the application, and they can also perform installation and removal.
Modular Turnstiles
Modular turnstiles are making their way onto larger jobsites. They integrate with perimeter fencing and feature anywhere from one to 10 lanes. With the tap of a worker ID badge enabled with radio-frequency identification (RFID) or another wireless communication technology, a worker moves through quickly and efficiently. During the badge tap, the worker is authenticated by the user profile associated with their badge. With each badge scan, a cloud-based jobsite management platform creates a digital log of entrants that can be searched to verify attendance or respond to an emergency.
Smart turnstiles relieve the burden of manual check-ins and free security guards to perform other important tasks. They also help prevent long lines at the gate. Some one-stop vendors offer turnstiles and will install them, along with security cameras, on request.
Locking Storage Containers
A well-organized jobsite is a more efficient and productive jobsite. Storing tools, materials and small equipment near the work taking place is a simple way to save crews time.
Storage containers provide the ideal solution. Because not all containers are equal, choosing the right one is important. Contractors can ask their rental provider for a container that is durable, easy to open, and includes an internal locking system for extra security. Some containers have an emergency exit feature to prevent a worker from being trapped inside.
The rental provider can customize a storage container with shelves and racks to organize items and make them more accessible. They can even add cargo doors to allow small equipment to be driven in.
Fully-Stocked Mobile Offices
On remote sites, a container office or jobsite trailer is a must-have. While container offices work better for some jobsites, trailers work better for others.
Containers are often better suited for heavy industrial sites. To create more space, some vendors will piece together two containers by removing a wall, or stack two or three containers and add external stairs.
When renting a jobsite trailer, choosing a larger one can yield unexpected benefits. Large trailers provide extra storage room to minimize trips back to the office. Trailers that include a conference room can double as a breakroom for workers. During severe weather, having a place to warm up or cool down for a few minutes boosts morale as well as worker wellness. Trailers with a restroom add convenience if the site has water and sewage.
Project managers can save time and headaches by having the rental company outfit the trailer so it’s fully functional on Day 1. The company can customize the interior, provide stairs and skirting if needed, and add office furniture and other office essentials such as coffee makers and minifridges.
Portable Restrooms & Restroom Trailers
A safe and comfortable work environment includes convenient restroom facilities. Planning for the ideal type and number of portable restrooms and placing them strategically around the site helps boost productivity and ensure Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliance.
For small jobsites, portable toilets are adequate. Adding handwashing stations helps keep crews healthy. For larger jobsites, restroom trailers with sinks and flushable toilets are often the better choice. They are more comfortable, better ventilated and easier to keep clean. The vendor can identify the best location for a trailer and provide a generator or standalone battery to power it if needed. Installing ground protection matting underneath the trailer helps prevent turned ankles.
Tool Management Solutions
Not having the right tool when it’s needed slows progress. Rental tool solutions and services save time and therefore money. For example, custom-stocked storage boxes placed near work areas ensure that crews have the tools for the task at hand.
New to the market are badge-accessed smart storage boxes that automatically record who removed which tool. Certain vendors that offer connected jobsite solutions can provide these units and stock them with tools equipped with Bluetooth tags. Telematics devices and gateways installed throughout the jobsite can read the tags and track a tool’s location.
On larger projects, managed tool trailers are another effective method of tool management. Some rental providers will custom stock a trailer, provide a tool coordinator to check out tools to individuals and manage the tool inventory.
Small Decisions, Large Impacts
Seemingly small choices during project mobilization can have an outsized effect on a project’s outcome. Carefully evaluating temporary infrastructure options with an eye toward creating a more efficient jobsite can result in productivity gains that benefit the bottom line.
Partnering with a temporary equipment vendor that offers a wide range of specialty products and services in addition to standard equipment can put construction businesses on a path to increased safety and faster project completion. Collaborating early on helps managers move from project planning to project execution with greater confidence.