A Volvo EC230 Electric excavator does work in Los Angeles, US, as part of a pilot program run by Skanska. (Image: Skanska)

Servicing the Purple (D Line) Extension Transit Project in Los Angeles, at the South Yard of the Wilshire/La Brea station, the excavator 鈥� supplied by US-based Sunbelt Rentals 鈥� was used to load trucks of construction material from a stockpile, said Skanska. The firm believed it to be 鈥渁mong the first鈥� to pilot the Volvo electric excavator in North America.

The company said the objective of the roughly three-month trial was to test the capability of a battery-powered excavator to perform the needed work in relation to a diesel-powered counterpart.

鈥淩esults of the 90-day trial indicate that the Volvo EC230 Electric performed the necessary activities as intended while keeping the pace of work on schedule,鈥� said Skanska. 鈥淭he results noted in the initial findings indicate reduced emissions and lowered costs.鈥�

The global contractor said, 鈥淭he unit reduced carbon per hour by 66% (34 kilograms) and saved an estimated 74% in cost per hour (US$15.15).鈥�

Noise reduction highlighted as additional benefit

鈥淭he electric excavator generated much less vibration and noise than a diesel-powered version,鈥� said Skanska. 鈥淣ot only does this create a less exhaustive and better working environment for the operator, but it also results in less construction noise for the surrounding community.鈥�

Reducing decibels on-site has been a focus for the US government. The country鈥檚 Department of Labor, last November, its most recent renewal of a Mid-Atlantic regional programme that provides guidance and direction for navigating hazardous noise levels at work sites.

A construction worker adjusts hearing protection. Noise reduction is a focus of health and safety initiatives in the industry. (Image: Adobe Stock)

(NIOSH), potential hearing loss is a hazard for roughly 22 million US workers. 

Specifically in the construction industry, about 51% of workers have been exposed to harmful noise, and 52 percent of construction workers (regularly exposed to noise) report not wearing hearing protection.

鈥淣oise controls are the first line of prevention against permanent work-related hearing loss,鈥� explained Michael Rivera, a regional administrator with the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration. 鈥淏y reducing noise levels even by a few decibels, employers can better protect employees, improve communication and stop excessive noise from distracting workers.鈥�