Excavation Safety
Cogbill Safety Tuesday November 24th, 2020
Excavation can be one of the most potentially hazardous construction operations. The primary hazards associated with excavations are the potential for cave-ins and the accidental contact or displacement of existing underground installations, with the accompanying risk potential of personal injury and/or property damage. Employers should provide workers with proper training so as to ensure they are knowledgeable on safety practices.
General excavation safety practices include:
Know where underground utilities are located before digging.
Keep excavated soil (spoils) and other materials at least 2 feet (0.61 meters) from trench edges.
Keep heavy equipment away from trench edges.
Identify any equipment or activities that could affect trench stability.
Test for atmospheric hazards such as low oxygen, hazardous fumes, and toxic gases when workers are more than 4 feet deep.
Inspect trenches at the start of each shift.
Inspect trenches following a rainstorm or other water intrusion.
Inspect trenches after any occurrence that could have changed conditions in the trench.
Do not work under suspended or raised loads and materials.
Ensure that personnel wear high-visibility or other suitable clothing when exposed to vehicular traffic.
