I would like to submit an idea that one of my foremen, Ron Johnson came up with.

As you can see from the attached photos Ron constructed a portable hand laser level for under $30.00. The parts required are 1 laser pointer, one hand level, and 3 zap straps.

This device can be used to project pipe grades, set manhole and valve box lids, set curb forms, determine pipe grade conflicts, etc, basically a 2 man survey crew at your finger tips.

I thought this idea warranted being passed on to Ideas and Gadgets Contest for your review.

Problem

The District of Hope maintains its own cemeteries within the District's boundaries. Not only does the District look after the grass, flower beds and roads, the District also prepares the gravesites for burial.

The dimensions of a typical gravesite are 1.2 m x 2.4 m (4 ft x 8 ft). A single gravesite is dug to a depth of 1.8 m (6 ft) and a double gravesite is dug to a depth of 2.7 m (9 ft). In addition, the District uses a concrete grave liner weighing approximately 363 kg (800 lbs) to contain the casket.

The procedure employed was to dig the gravesite, lower the liner into position and then level the liner by hand. This procedure was hazardous due to the narrowness of the hole and the cave-in potential from the adjoining occupied gravesites. To ensure the safety of the worker entering the excavation, there was a requirement for a shoring device that could fit this hole.

Solution

Normal sized shoring devices were too large to fit in the excavated gravesite and a search of shoring manufacturers identified none that could meet our needs. In an effort to come up with a practical solution, a group of Public Works employees got together and brainstormed the idea.

One idea was to utilize an existing manufacturer's shoring device. Here the gravesite would be dug, the shoring device lowered and the liner squeezed through the center of the shoring to the bottom of the hole. This was determined to be impractical due to the width of the hole. Once dug there would be only 0.076 m (3 inches) or less of soil between gravesites to a possible depth of 2.7 m (9 ft)!

Another idea was to supply a shoring device the same width as the liner. In this scenario the gravesite would be dug, the concrete liner lowered, a worker would enter the excavation to unhook the liner and then the shoring device would be lowered on top of the liner for the worker to enter the excavation and level the liner. This method exposed the worker to the potential of a cave-in when he entered the excavation to unhook the liner and was, therefore, deemed impractical.

The final solution encompassed the previous idea with the capability of attaching the liner to the shoring device and lowering both together into the grave hole. The idea was forwarded to a local manufacturer who, through an Engineer, turned the design into reality.

Problem : Filling sandbags while minimizing costs and maximizing safety and efficiency.

Solution : Modify existing road sanding equipment to efficiently and safely fill sandbags.

Several months ago, members of the Fleet Service Branch of the City of New Westminster, were discussing the 1999 Spring high-water preparations on their coffee break. The discussion focused on their concern that it would be difficult for staff to load the required amount of sandbags manually. One of the mechanics stated that it was unfortunate that existing fleet sanders could not be utilized for this project.