Consolidation and management of coal-ash is dirty, dangerous work, and heavy equipment brought in to shift and compact the waste from coal-fired power plants can pose a hazard for workers. Unstable ground conditions and risk of exposure to hazardous materials are the norm, and safety concerns restrict how contractors are able to tackle the job.
But Birmingham, Ala.-based heavy civil contractor Saiia is looking to new technology to meet these cleanup goals. The company has deployed several remotely operated pieces of heavy equipment at an Alabama coal-ash site that allow the operators to run them from a trailer near the site. Caterpillar excavators and dozers are able to move and consolidate the coal ash without having the operators traverse the site or get in and out of the cab.