Excavation

 

Excavation is one of the most hazardous types of work that puts people at risk.
 
Excavation Main Hazards: 

• Contact with underground power cables/pressurized pipe.
• Excavations collapsing and burying or injuring people working in them.  

Remember:

One cubic meter of soil can weigh as much as one ton.

 

• People, equipment Vehicles falling into an Excavation.

• Other hazards, e.g. water, muds, toxins, bad weather, slips, dust, contiguous activities etc. 

Excavation Control Measures:

1.        PTW - Permit To Work
2.        All underground hazards, such as pipes and cables must be identified, located, marked on site and,where/when necessary, isolated. If isolation is not possible, additional precautions must be taken.
3.        The methods for preventing ground movement, such as trench walls collapsing to be defined and control measures implemented
4.        Machinery is positioned at safe distance from the excavation
5.        Signs and barricades must be visible and correctly located .
6.        An excavation considered as a confined space if exceeding 1.5 m deep and must have the CSE precautions.

During excavation:

•      Move soil away from the edge of the hole
•      Support the sides of the hole by shoring or sloping at an angle.
•      Set up barriers or barricades around the edges of the excavation.
•      Stop if weather becomes unsafe.
•      Stay alert while working to safeguard against unexpected hazards.
•      Take appropriate precautions for work in confined spaces.