SAFETY BLOG

Contractors and construction workers must realize the extreme hazards of excavating.  OSHA reports that trenching and excavating is the most hazardous operation in the construction field.  According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, there are more than 65 fatalities per year associated with trench and excavation work.  Most accidents occur in trenches 5-15 feet deep.  Contractors must use precise planning before breaking ground on any job site.  The following factors must be considered when choosing the appropriate trench safety system;

• Soil classification
• Depth of cut
• Water content of soil
• Changes in stability due to weather and climate
• Other operations taking place in vicinity

In order for a contractor to choose the correct trench safety system, they first must be fluent with OSHA's Subpart P of 29 CFR part 1926.  The standards stated in this text provide the groundwork for excavation safety.  It is important to note that house foundations and basement excavations are exempt from the standards.  highlight's of this standard include;

• Always contact utility companies before breaking ground
• A means of egress shall be provided in excavations 4 ft. deep or more so as to require no more than 25 ft. of lateral travel to nearest egress
• No employees are allowed under loads handled by lifting or digging equipment
• Atmospheric testing must be undertaken in trenches 4 ft. deep or more if there exists a potential for a hazardous atmosphere
• Emergency rescue equipment shall be available where hazardous atmospheres exist
• All spoil and materials piles must be placed at least 2 ft. away from edge of excavations
• Employees working in excavations 5 ft. deep or more shall be protected from cave-ins by adequate protective systems outlined in OSHA's standard

The appendix section of Subpart P provides the technical data for trench safety systems.  Contact a trench safety specialist for further details on protective systems, implementation, and associated standards.

Safety is always the first priority on a construction site.  Hazards develop as soon as ground breaking operations begin.  Implementation of a sound trench and excavation safety training program is the first step in protecting your employees.  Designate a competent person to evaluate all excavations and use hazard assessment techniques to determine the identity of appropriate safety systems.  Evaluate trench safety on a daily basis using the stability factors mentioned earlier in this article.  Finally, when in doubt, never put someone in the trench!

Anytime you dig, you are excavating the dangers down below!  Do not become a statistic.  Educate yourself on trench and excavation safety.