TRAINING TOPIC FOR THE WEEK

EXCAVATION AND TRENCHING SAFETY

EXCAVATION - An excavation is any an-made cut, cavity, trench, or

depression in an earth surface formed by earth removal. This definition covers
excavations of any size.

EXCAVATION HAZARDS
1. Cave-ins
Cave-ins of trench walls are a serious construction site
hazard. Cave-ins occur when the trench side walls lack
adequate support aside from the pressure from adjacent
soil. A cave-in can severely injure or even a kill a workers
because of the weight of the soil.
SAFETY MEASURES FOR CAVE INS
1. Benching

2. Sloping
 3. Shoring

Accumulation of Hazardous Atmosphere

Hazardous gases such as Hydrogen Sulfide and Carbon Dioxide which are heavier than air
usually accumulates in low areas, thus trenches can be filled with these gases from various
sources including mechanical equipment exhaust, pipeline leaks, and un-dissipated vapors
from nearby storage areas. Inhalation of hazardous gases can injure or kill workers inside the
trench

Contact with the Underground Utilities

During both trench excavation and ongoing work inside a completed trench, the presence of
utility lines such as electric, gas, sewer, water, telephone, process piping and any others is a
major safety concern. If this equipment is accidentally contacted, there may be injury or death to
workers, interruption of services, contamination of water, disruption of processes, and expensive
project delays.

Falls into the Trench

Any open excavation is a potential fall hazards for worker and anyone else in the area. In order
to prevent falls, the following measures shall be followed:

 Maintain at least 0.6 meters (2 feet) of clear space on the perimeter of trench
opening.

 Barricade the sides and post warning signs.

 When near traffic flow, assign flagman and use flashing lights to illuminate the
barricades.

 Place a ladder at 7.5 meters interval. Make sure they are securely attached and
extended no less than 0.91 meters.

 When equipment, workers and or the public are required or permitted to cross
over the trench, provide a closed planked or walkway with standard guard rails

Struck-by Incident
Workers inside the trench must be protected from the hazards of being struck by equipment
and falling objects such as the following:

 Move any objects that can be potentially roll into the trench at least 0.6 meters
from the edge.

 When mobile equipment is used near a trench, install a barricade around the
openings to help keep the equipment’ operator from accidentally driving into the
trench.

 Workers are not allowed to work beneath the load or near the equipment
ACCESS
Ladders, steps, ramps or other safe means of access and egress shall be provided and
located at intervals of 7.5 meters (25 feet) or less lateral travel in trenching 1.2 meters (4 feet)
or more in depth, If a ladder is used, the ladder shall extend 1 meter (3 feet) above the original
surface of the ground and shall be secured.

Walkways, ramps or bridges with standard guardrails shall be provided at all excavations and
trenching where employees are permitted to cross over. The crossing will be made of tightly
secured uniformly sized planking

SET BACK
Employees shall be protected from excavated soil, other materials and equipment that may fall
or roll into excavation.

Protection shall be provided or by placing and keeping such materials or equipment at least 1
meter (3 feet) from the edge of the excavation, or by the use of retaining devices that are
sufficient to prevent materials and equipment from falling or rolling into excavations or a
combination of both.
Confined Space
Every trench or excavation with a depth of 1.2 meter (4 feet) or greater is considered as
Confined Space and the confined space procedure shall apply.