How to Prepare Your Public Projects for O. Reg 406/19
Excess Soils Guide
O. Reg 406/19: Handling Excess Soil in Ontario
With Phase 2 launching in 2023, many regions and municipalities are working hard to update tender specifications, contract agreements, and budgets.
Over the past year, SoilFLO has worked with over 150 contractors and public bodies to guide data collection for the new tracking requirements.
This guide was built share what have been learned. The hope is to reveal common challenges seen so far, the pitfalls to
avoid, and the benefits of revamping administrative processes with innovative technology.
With the right action plan, public bodies can effectively and efficiently navigate 406/19.
Challenges You Will Face
1. Ensuring Contractor Compliance
Phase 1 assigns liability for handling excess soils to the project leader: the entity who is ultimately responsible for making decisions relating to the project.
To protect their liability, public bodies will need to enforce contractors to follow the new regulatory requirements.
Teams will need to consider:
How will data be collected from contractors?
How will contractors collect data in the field?
How will data be validated for accuracy?
How will fraud be prevented?
What environmental controls will be in place for controlled material movement?
2. Preventing Administrative Overburden & Confusion
Upon implementing new data collection and tracking requirements, project owners quickly realize the amount of new administrative work created.
Each owner will need to evaluate the most efficient way to perform these new processes:
How can data be standardized across projects?
How is data stored, reconciled, and examined?
What processes can be automated by technology?
How do we ensure timely collection and reporting?
3. Accessing Data and Reactive Decision Making
After establishing the above processes, the newly collected information should be leveraged.
Managers can utilize this data to be proactive rather than reactive.
How can software reduce the size and length of project delays?
With aggregated data across all projects, how can we improve department budgets and forecasts?
With locations and site movement data, how do we identify high-need permit zones to reduce project costs and GHG emissions?
How do we retain data long-term to reduce future testing and environmental costs?
How do we speed up site approvals, progress payments, and environmental reporting?
Directly Procure An Earthworks Management Software
Require A “Digital Tracking” System, The Decision Of Which Is In The Hands Of The Contractors
Laissez-faire (Follow Ministry Guidelines)
Approach and Strategy
Decision Criteria
Criteria (Capabilities)
1. Procurement of one digital system
2. Digital system of contractor’s choice
3. Baseline compliant, any method
Compliant with O. Reg 406/19
Environmental controls & audit trails
Automated tasks and reports (cost-efficient)
Standardized and aggregated data
Easily accessible and manipulated data
Leverage data for reuse, cost reduction, forecasts
Criteria (Capabilities)
1. Procurement of one digital system
Compliant with O. Reg 406/19
Environmental controls & audit trails
Automated tasks and reports (cost-efficient)
Standardized and aggregated data
Easily accessible and manipulated data
Leverage data for reuse, cost reduction, forecasts
Criteria (Capabilities)
2. Digital system of contractor’s choice
Compliant with O. Reg 406/19
Environmental controls & audit trails
Automated tasks and reports (cost-efficient)
Standardized and aggregated data
Easily accessible and manipulated data
Leverage data for reuse, cost reduction, forecasts
Criteria (Capabilities)
3. Baseline compliant, any method
Compliant with O. Reg 406/19
Environmental controls & audit trails
Automated tasks and reports (cost-efficient)
Standardized and aggregated data
Easily accessible and manipulated data
Leverage data for reuse, cost reduction, forecasts
Choose SoilFLO Today!
One central platform for all your earthmoving activities.
The Benefits of Going Digital
Cut Administrative Overhead
Make Informed Decisions
Reduce Bid Sizes with Guidance
Eliminate Lability and Risk
Considerations Of a Digital System
Our Philosophy
SoilFLO strongly recommends a digital system (approach 2) is required, at minimum, by project owners.
Although there can be resistance to the adoption of new technology, software has come a long way to be both easily accessible and utilized in the field.
Project owners have even more to benefit from procuring just one digital system. Furthermore, if the required system also has integrations with traditional paper methods (for resisting contractors), then there should be no hesitation in digital procurement.
Case Study
Problem
Furthermore, they faced multiple inquiries from contractors on what data was to be collected and how it was to be submitted.
Solution
In 2022, SoilFLO was procured to be utilized on all public works projects. This even included the lower tier municipalities such as Fort Erie, Port Colborne, the City of Niagara Falls, and so forth.
Within each tender, SoilFLO is specified for use in the management of all excess material. Upon awarding the tender, contractors are set up with field user accounts. Project Managers from the city invite field users to collaborate on their projects and collect data.
All parties, including the PMs, contract administrators, qualified professionals, and contractors have one central location to collect, transfer and store data.
Key Results
Issues concerning rogue loads, unapproved receiving sites, and project delays are identified in real-time.
Paper is eliminated across sites, and contractors possess an efficient way to collect data via software.
Environmental and progress reports are automated.
Digital run sheets and dashboards provide new insights to foreman for the management of haulers .
Disputes about loads counts and change orders are significantly reduced.
Two-point verification at receiving sites reduces the number of audits required by consultants.
Go Digital with your SoilFLO: Excess Soil Management Software
Looking to go digital with your excess soil management?
Our easy-to-use software will make managing your excess soils a breeze, from start to finish. With SoilFLO, you can cut back on administrative overhead, make informed decisions, and reduce your bid sizes – all while minimizing liability and risk!
Download your free Excess Soils Guide PDF
Get started on your digital transformation with our free Excess Soils Guide. Learn how to cut back on administrative overhead, make informed decisions, and reduce your bid sizes. Manage your excess soils with ease.