WORK SAFELY IN EXCAVATIONS AND TRENCHES

Excavating or trenching work is one of the highly dangerous work in the construction industry and it may lead to death or severe injuries if not carried out safely. The various hazards presented by this work include burial, falls from height or being struck by objects falling into the excavation, drowning, striking underground services (e.g. gas, electricity and water), as well as asphyxiation or poisoning caused by fumes entering the excavation.

To reduce these risks, adequate precaution measures should be taken to include:

• Checking for underground services before work commences with proper preplanning of the excavation work

• Shoring of the excavation sides or ensuring they are at a suitable angle to prevent the sides collapsing or material falling onto workers in the excavation or trench. Shoring to be done as per the standard requirements.

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Implementing Effective Environmental Sustainability Programs

Measures to prevent persons, materials or objects falling into the excavation or trench or the inrush of water into the excavation / trench.

• Maintaining an atmosphere fit for respiration

• Measures to enable workers to leave the excavation or trench safely. Ensure employees are trained on the emergency preparedness and required resources in place.

• Avoiding vehicular traffic near the excavations or trenches or ensuring it is kept to a minimum. Provide the hard barricading in the area, ensure safe traffic management.

The sides of the excavation or trench should be supported by timbering or other suitable means or sloped and battered back to a safe angle of repose to prevent a collapse. The type of support necessary and angle of repose will depend upon the type of excavation, the nature of the ground and the groundwater conditions.

To avoid the risk of workers falling into the excavation or trench, suitable barriers (double guard rails) should be erected to prevent falls. Place required signage to alert the workers for the hazards exist.

ATTENTION: Shoring or other means of supporting excavations and trenches should be conducted under the supervision of a competent person. The removal of any supporting mechanisms should also be conducted under the supervision of a competent person.

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Before beginning an excavation:

• All work should be planned and the method of excavation and the appropriate type of support identified. Risk assessment to be done with the team and all team members should aware of the hazards and control measures to be implemented.

• The stability of the ground should be verified by a competent person

• A competent person should check that the excavation will not affect adjoining buildings, structures or roadways.

• The position of all the public utilities such as underground sewers, gas pipes, water pipes and overhead electrical powerline conductors should be verified

• If necessary, the gas, water, electrical and other public utilities should be disconnected or rerouted. The workplace general arrangement drawing to be checked and verified with the workplace.

• If underground pipes, cable conductors, etc., cannot be rerouted or disconnected, they should be fenced, supported and adequately marked or otherwise protected. The checking to be done with the required tools to ensure the safe condition.

• If necessary, land should be cleared of trees, boulders and other obstructions

• An analysis of possible contamination of the land by harmful chemicals or gases, or by any hazardous waste material such as asbestos should be made

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