1 of 10

EXCAVATION GENERAL SAFETY

Conducted by:

QHSE ENGINEER

SAFETY TALKS

®

​

​

2 of 10

EXCAVATION SAFETY

As per the statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics [BLS), from 2013-to 2017], there were 97 trench-related fatalities in the construction sector – an average of 19 per year, from a low of 10 worker deaths in 2014 to a high of worker's deaths; 33 in 2016 [BLS, 2019]. The excavations in the USA are common that could be seen in the construction industry and sites all across the United States. This excavation work can come with various hazards, by following basic safety guidelines and safety measures, excavation work can be made safe and free of serious fatal and human injuries.

​

​

​

3 of 10

����SOME MAJOR HAZARDS OF EXCAVATION WORK EXCAVATION SAFETY��

  1. Cave in and collapses
  2. Water accumulation (drowning)
  3. Falls into the excavation
  4. Utility strikes
  5. Poisonous gases collecting in an excavation

​

​

​

4 of 10

GENERAL WAYS TO MITIGATE EXCAVATION HAZARDS…..

SECURING THE EXCAVATION

  1. Follow OSHA’s guidelines for protective systems to protect employees entering the excavation.
  2. Often the soil being excavated is referred to as “Type C” which is the most hazardous for employees to enter.
  3. Excavations should be sloped back according to OSHA’s guidelines which depend on the soil type present.

​

​

​

5 of 10

�GENERAL WAYS TO MITIGATE EXCAVATION HAZARDS

  • Trench boxes and shoring are other options to protect employees entering the excavation.
  • Prohibit equipment and other employees from working above anyone working in the trench or excavation.

​

​

​

6 of 10

���KEEP WATER OUT OF THE EXCAVATION��

  • Use pumps to remove water from the excavation and do not allow employees to be in any excavation or trench that has water accumulating in it.
  • Water affects the integrity of the excavation.
  • Never leave the excavation open when work is not being performed in the area.
  • Use of proper barricade protection system, fencing, and precautionary and warning signage to protect both employees and anyone passing by from falling into the excavation or driving into it.

​

​

​

7 of 10

HOW USE OF "ONE CALL SERVICE" IS BENEFICIAL IN EXCAVATION DIGGING

  • Always use the “One Call” service in your area to ensure there are no utilities in proposed excavation areas or have utilities properly marked before digging.
  • Look at as-built drawings when they are available for the area the excavation is occurring.

​

​

​

8 of 10

GAS TESTING

Before proceeding and carrying out any excavation work, make sure that the gas testing is conducted for a hazardous atmosphere in excavation and individuals have to enter. Also, make sure that the gas testing is conducted involving any low points where gases can accumulate.

​

​

​

9 of 10

KEY POINTS TO DISCUSS:

  • Has anyone experienced a trench collapse or cave-in at another job?
  • What are some other hazards excavation operations create onsite?
  • How can we further protect ourselves from the hazards that excavation operations create?

​

​

​

10 of 10

​

​