After a long winter season of limited construction, this is the time when cranes and heavy equipment start popping up like new spring flowers. The spring season is also known for bringing frequent rainfall and the possibility of thunderstorms and lightning. On busy construction sites, the unique dangers that spring weather poses to the safety… Read more »
Category: Construction and Environment
How to Properly Set Up Crane Mats at a Construction Site
Crane mats are a great way to operate heavy equipment on a construction site safely. They add an extra layer of protection and stability while machinery operates. Crane mats are a perfect addition to project sites with uneven ground and wetland, marsh, and swamp areas. It is important to protect these ecologically sensitive areas when doing construction… Read more »
Tips for Doing Construction Near Wetlands
When working on any construction project, part of your job is to be considerate of the environment around you. For some sites, this simply means using basic ground protection and cleaning up after the work is complete. For other, more environmentally-sensitive areas, increased planning and safety measures are required to minimize your impact. Wetlands are… Read more »
Temporary Road in St. James, Louisiana
For this Mammoet rollout, Ritter Forest Products was able to supply our top-quality hardwood mats to make the project team’s job safer and more efficient. Using our 3-ply laminated mats, they created a temporary road over wet, muddy ground located next to a river on the worksite. This prevented the heavy construction equipment from slipping… Read more »
How Hardwood Mats Can Help Prevent Soil Erosion on Your Construction Site
When you’re working in construction, one of your goals should always be to disturb the environment around you as little as possible during a project. There are several environmental factors you’ll want to be conscious of as you work, such as area wildlife and vegetation. One of your biggest concerns though should be minimizing soil… Read more »
How Can Timber Mats Protect Sensitive Wetland Ecosystems?
As human populations continue to expand, it is more important than ever to protect sensitive ecosystems such as wetlands. The wetlands are most vulnerable when they are traversed or constructed upon, especially when heavy equipment is involved. Thankfully, a great solution exists: the use of timber mats. What are timber mats? To create timber mats,… Read more »
A Boom of Jobs: Construction, Heavy Equipment and Oilfield Workers in High Demand
Are you looking for a job in the construction, heavy equipment or oil industries? If so, now is the perfect time to start applying for jobs in those fields. According to a recent Bloomberg report, the National Federation of Independent Business found that 45 percent of small businesses in those industries have been unable to… Read more »
Sand Mining on the Rise in Texas Alongside Drilling
Mining has turned into a big business in the state of Texas during the past year, but perhaps in a surprising way. Instead of oil or gravel mining, the biggest boom has been in sand mining. According to the Houston Chronicle, the price of sand has skyrocketed from $15 per ton just a year ago… Read more »
Keystone XL Approval Means Construction Boom for Pipeline Workers
The Keystone XL oil pipeline project was recently granted final approval by the U.S. State Department. This project has been sidelined over environmental disputes and debates for the past few years, but now that it has secured approval and will be moving forward, it means an approaching construction boom for pipeline contractors and workers. Once… Read more »
Construction Is Coming: Are You Ready?
After a long winter, it’s finally time for construction companies all across the country to get back to work. With the snow and cold moving out, contractors are moving in, taking to building roads, buildings and more throughout the spring season. Is your team ready to get back to work? Part of working with the… Read more »

