Construction crews working on the Pasco School District’s 3rd High School are utilizing cutting-edge technology to enhance productivity and safety. The innovative equipment, known as MULEs (material unit life enhancers), is being used for heavy lifting tasks, such as building the school’s gymnasium walls with 12-inch blocks. This marks the first time MULEs are being used in Washington State for a project of this scale.

MULEs have been brought onto the high school site by PMI Masonry Inc. as a test run and are anticipated to be the future of block laying. The machines relieve masonry workers of the physical strain of lifting blocks, which is a significant cause of musculoskeletal injuries associated with the profession.

Previously, workers had to manually lift each block, maneuver it over the rebar set, slide it down, and finally, set it in place. With the MULEs, the machine takes care of the heavy lifting and workers only need to do the final placement. This not only reduces the intensity of labor but also minimizes the risk of shoulder, arm, and wrist injuries.

While block laying by hand may be faster than using the MULEs, the innovative technology aims to mitigate high-risk factors associated with masonry work. The use of AI in the analysis found that certain Idaho jobs are at “high risk” of being replaced by automation in the future. The study sheds light on the importance of embracing technological advancements while also exploring opportunities to enhance efficiency and cost-effectiveness in future construction projects.

Sources:
– Pasco School District
– NetVoucherCodes analysis

Definitions:
– MULEs: Material unit life enhancers, innovative equipment used for heavy lifting in construction projects.
– Musculoskeletal injury: Injuries affecting the muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, or other soft tissues of the body.
– AI: Artificial Intelligence, the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to perform tasks autonomously.