The day shift denotes the scheduled daytime work window in which construction, demolition works, and extraction activities take place under normal lighting and permitting conditions. In concrete demolition, during building gutting and cutting operations, as well as in rock excavation and tunnel construction, the day shift structures staffing, machine deployment, and logistics. For Darda GmbH, the day shift is the organizational framework in which hydraulic tools such as concrete demolition shears or rock and concrete splitters are used efficiently, safely, and with low vibration levels.
Definition: What is meant by day shift
The day shift refers to the clearly defined working period between morning and evening during which teams perform tasks according to a shift plan. This includes the briefing, setup, the productive core process, quality control, documentation, and handover. The day shift is thus an organizational and temporal framework that consolidates capacities, equipment deployment, safety requirements, and environmental stipulations. In demolition and deconstruction, it is the fundamental planning measure used to control performance per shift, material flow, waste disposal logistics, and neighborhood concerns.
Importance of the day shift in concrete demolition and special demolition
The day shift governs the pacing of low-vibration methods in deconstruction, for example when crushing reinforced concrete with concrete demolition shears or when controlled widening of cracks is performed using rock and concrete splitters. It defines noise and dust time windows, sets crane operations and deliveries, and structures coordination with downstream trades. Because the time window is limited, setup times, tool changes, and hydraulic power packs are planned so that the productive portion of the shift is maximized while safety is ensured.
Shift planning: capacities, setup times, and equipment deployment
A well-planned day shift translates the construction objective into concrete, achievable shift tasks. Crucial are realistic performance assumptions, short setup times, and the right combination of hydraulic power packs and tools from Darda GmbH.
Pacing and workflows
- Early briefing: objective, hazard locations, communication paths, exclusion zones.
- Setup: positioning of hydraulic power packs, connection of hydraulic hose lines, functional check.
- Core process: pacing based on component thickness, reinforcement ratio, accessibility, and structural sequencing.
- Material flow: removal of concrete debris, sorting of concrete/steel, intermediate storage, haulage logistics.
- Control: dimensional accuracy, edge quality, vibration and noise measurements.
- Closeout: tool maintenance, visual inspection, documentation, handover to follow-on tasks.
Safety and environmental protection in the day shift
Protecting people, the structure, and the surroundings takes precedence. Shift-specific safety briefings, barricading, and clear signaling are mandatory components. Noise, dust, and vibration management is aligned with the times of day during which regulatory requirements and neighborhood compatibility can be met. Water or mist systems for dust suppression, acoustic shielding, and low-vibration splitting techniques are proven measures. Legal requirements vary by location and project; general coordination with the responsible authorities is advisable.
Tool selection for the day shift: from component to method
The selection of the method follows the properties of the component and its environment:
- Concrete demolition and special demolition: concrete demolition shears for crushing and exposing reinforcement; supplemented by combination shears and Multi Cutters at changing material interfaces.
- Low-vibration and controlled: rock and concrete splitters, also with rock splitting cylinders, when vibrations must be limited or adjacent components need protection.
- Building gutting and cutting: In the day shift, planable through pre-cut separation cuts followed by splitting or shearing to keep dust and noise within the permitted time window.
- Steel and tank dismantling: steel shears for cutting structural steel sections; cutting torch for defined cuts on tanks within approved and secured working conditions.
- Hydraulic power packs: Sizing by required working pressure and flow rate; short runs, mechanical protection of lines, and orderly hose routing increase net productive time per shift.
Performance assessment and KPIs per day shift
Transparent metrics increase predictability and safety. Typical measures include:
- Removal or splitting output per hour and shift (m³/h, t/h, number of splitting cycles).
- Setup and changeover times (tool changes, repositioning, hose management).
- Availability of hydraulic power packs (operating minutes, reasons for downtime).
- Quality indicators (edge quality, residual damage, dimensional compliance with the deconstruction plan).
- Protection values (noise levels, dust generation, vibration values in sensitive zones).
Day shifts in rock excavation and tunnel construction
In rock works, daylight, ventilation, and logistics determine shift design. rock and concrete splitters as well as rock splitting cylinders enable controlled separations where blasting is restricted, for example in urban settings or near sensitive structures. The day shift defines when advance, support, and clearing operations interlock smoothly to avoid bottlenecks in haulage and material handling.
Natural stone extraction: the day shift as the pacemaker
In quarries, the day shift defines the sequence of setting split points, widening, lifting, and sorting. Controlled splitting technology reduces breakage losses and preserves stockyard areas. Consistent daily routines—from tool inspection to organized removal—ensure reproducible raw-block quality.
Sequence of a day shift during deconstruction of a reinforced concrete slab
- Shift start: safety briefing, check approvals, set up exclusion zones.
- Setup: position hydraulic power packs, check tightness and working pressure values.
- Preparatory separation cuts along intended break lines (if specified).
- Core process: opening the component with concrete demolition shears, extracting segments; alternatively splitting with rock and concrete splitters where vibration sensitivity applies.
- Sorting: separate steel, remove concrete fractions.
- Control: assess component edge, supports, reinforcement condition; rework.
- Closeout: tool maintenance, replenish consumables, document essentials.
Risks, disruptions, and adjustments during the day shift
Unforeseen conditions—such as varying reinforcement densities, stiffeners, or restricted access—require flexible method changes. Close coordination between operating personnel and site management, clearly defined stop rules, and prepared alternatives (switching from shears to splitting technique or deploying combination shears) reduce downtime. Regular short briefings throughout the day keep targets, quality, and safety on track.
Documentation and shift handover
At the end of the shift, performance, deviations, measurements, and special occurrences are recorded. Photos of the work areas, logged operating times of the hydraulic power packs, and checkpoints on tool wear facilitate the planning of follow-on activities. Handover to the next working period ensures that materials, power supply, and exclusion concepts can be resumed without delay.
Checklist: preparing a day shift
- Permits and protective requirements for daytime hours checked.
- Component and material analysis (thickness, reinforcement, rock structure) completed.
- Tool selection made: concrete demolition shears, rock and concrete splitters, supplementary shears/cutters.
- Hydraulic power packs sized, operating supplies available, spare hoses ready.
- Setup and staging areas clear, routes for material flow planned.
- Measurement and protection technology (noise, dust, vibrations) operational.
- Communication, emergency routes, and shutdown concepts clarified.