STRABAG | ZÜBLIN – ABU DHABI | DUBAI

INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

SAFETY

IMS # 40-T008-000E

EXCAVATION
AWARENESS TRAINING

40-T008-000E Rev A 21.10.2017

Based on Template IMS # 00-H008-000E RevA 24.05.2016
EXCAVATION AWARENESS TRAINING:
LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the completion of this training, you will be able to:
1 Understand the hazards of working in an excavation;
2 Understand the factors that pose a hazard to employees working
in excavations;

3 Understand how to take precautions to protect the working

environment of excavations;
4 Understand the safety requirements for barricades near
excavations;
5 Understand the Hazards / Risk control measures.
Following this training, there will be a mandatory assessment to
confirm your understanding of expected outcomes.

During this training please ask questions…

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DEFINITIONS
• Excavation – A cut, trench, or depression in the earth’s
surface formed by earth removal.
• Trench – A narrow excavation. The depth is greater than
the width, but not wider than 15 feet.
• Sloping – A technique that employs a specific angle of
incline on the sides of the excavation. The angle varies
based on assessment of impacting site factors.
• Shoring – A structure that supports the sides of an
excavation and protects against cave-ins.
• Shielding – A structure able to withstand a cave-in and
protect employees.
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40-T008-000E Rev A 21.10.2017
EXCAVATION HAZARDS
• People / Equipment fall into excavation;
• Unstable adjacent structures;
• Asphyxiation due to lack of oxygen;
• Inhalation of toxic materials;
• Moving machinery near the edge of the excavation
can cause a collapse;
• Soil or other material too close to the edge of
excavation;
• Accidental severing of underground utility lines;
• Electrocution due to contact with underground
utilities.

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EXCAVATION HAZARDS

Imagine this coming down on top of you….

Weight of a Pickup Weight of one cubic meter

of soil

1250 KGs 1600 KGs

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EXCAVATION HAZARDS
Cave-In:
• Means the movement of soil or rock into an excavation, or the
loss of soil from under a trench shield or support system, in
amounts large enough to trap, bury, or injure and immobilize a
person.

Collapse of Sides:

• Type of soil structure is an important factor;

• What might appear to be a safe soil structure can change

dramatically with changes in the weather.

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EXCAVATION HAZARDS

Cave in Collapse of sides

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EXCAVATION HAZARDS
Some Other Excavation Hazards:

• Water Accumulation;

• Hazardous Atmosphere;

• People and Material Falls;

• Equipment Falls.

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EXCAVATION HAZARDS
Water Accumulation Hazards

• Water can mix into soil which

may lead to collapse or
produce cave-ins.

• Excess of water may also

drown the person /
equipment / material into the
excavation as it is easily
solvent with soil and can
create “SWAMP”.

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EXCAVATION HAZARDS
Hazardous Atmosphere
Test excavations more than 4
feet before an employee enters
into the excavation for:
• Oxygen deficiency;
• High combustible gas
concentration;
• High levels of other
hazardous substances.

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EXCAVATION HAZARDS

Excavation Falling onto the Personnel

• A relatively small collapse might

involve a cubic metre of soil, but a
cubic metre of soil weighs over a
tonne.

• Personnel buried at the bottom of the

trench under this volume of material
would be unable to breathe due to the
pressure on their chests, and so
would quickly suffocate and die.

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EXCAVATION HAZARDS
Equipment falls

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EXCAVATION HAZARDS
Causes of Cave-Ins / Collapse of side

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EXCAVATION HAZARDS
Improper Means of Access
and Egress:

• A stairway or ladder, must be

present in excavations that are
4 or more feet deep, and
within 25 feet of the
employees.

• The ladder should extend 3

feet above the excavation.

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EXCAVATION HAZARDS
Improper Means of Access
and Egress:
• These two ladders which are
lashed together are not an
adequate means of egress
The ladder should extend 3
feet above the top of the
excavation.
• Ladder cannot be joint
together unless it is
manufactured for that
purpose.

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INADEQUATE PROTECTION SYSTEM

• This excavation has

inadequate support
posts and egress access.

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INADEQUATE PROTECTION SYSTEM

• This worker is in a
trench with no
protective system, that
is not sloped or
benched, no means of
egress and no PPE.

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HAZARDOUS CONDITION
• Telephone pole
adjacent to excavation,
not supported /
removed.

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HAZARDOUS CONDITION
• The weight and
vibrations of the
machinery above make
this a very hazardous
condition.

• They should not be

working under any
machinery.

• They should not sit on

moving belt.

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EXCAVATION PROTECTION SYSTEM
It shall be a requirement of all projects to implement a
procedure that provides effective safety measures and methods
to protect personnel who are required to work in and around
excavations and trenches. Such methods include, but are not
limited to:
• Cave-in protection (sloping, shoring and shielding);
• Access and egress requirements;
• Edge protection (barriers, warning signs, etc.);
• Inspection requirements.

Note: There are four types of soil.

Hard / Stable Rock, Type A, Type B, Type C.

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EXCAVATION PROTECTION SYSTEM
Protection of Equipment Falling into Excavation

• Provide guard rails and toe

boards;

• Use stop blocks to prevent

vehicles over-running;

• Keep vehicles away from

excavations wherever necessary.

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EXCAVATION PROTECTION SYSTEM
There are 3 basic protective systems used in excavations
and trenches:

1. Sloping Systems;

2. Shoring Systems;

3. Shielding Systems.

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EXCAVATION PROTECTION SYSTEM
1. Sloping System

• Sloping means sloping the sides of the excavation away

from the excavation to protect employees from cave-ins. The
required slope will vary with soil type, weather, and surface
or near surface loads that may affect the soil in the area of
the trench (such as adjacent buildings, vehicles near the
edge of the trench and so forth).

• For excavations up to 20 feet (6m) in depth: soil / rock type

maximum slope angle to vertical (Angle of Repose)
Horizontal to Vertical ratio (Benching).

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EXCAVATION PROTECTION SYSTEM
1. Sloping System
SOIL / ROCK TYPE MAXIMUM SLOPE ANGLE HORIZONTAL TO
TO VERTICAL (ANGLE OF VERTICAL RATIO
REPOSE) (BENCHING)
STABLE ROCK 90 degree N/A
TYPE A 53 degree 0.75 to 1
TYPE B 45 degree 1 to 1
TYPE C 34 degree 1.5 to 1

For excavations exceeding 20 feet (6m) in depth:

Such excavations shall be subject to detailed analysis by a
competent Structural / Geotechnical Engineer with the requisite
design calculations submitted to the Employer / Engineer for
approval under cover of a temporary works design submission.

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EXCAVATION PROTECTION SYSTEM
1. Sloping System

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EXCAVATION PROTECTION SYSTEM
1. Sloping System

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EXCAVATION PROTECTION SYSTEM
2. Shoring System

• Support system for trench

faces used to prevent
movement of soil,
underground utilities,
foundations.

• There are two basic types of

shoring, timber and aluminum
hydraulic.

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EXCAVATION PROTECTION SYSTEM
2. Shoring System

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EXCAVATION PROTECTION SYSTEM
2. Shoring System – Timber Shoring

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EXCAVATION PROTECTION SYSTEM
2. Shoring System – Aluminum Hydraulic Shoring

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EXCAVATION PROTECTION SYSTEM
3. Shielding System

Trench Boxes:
• The space between the
outside of the trench box and
the face of the trench should
be as small as possible, and
backfilled to prevent
movement of the box.

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EXCAVATION PROTECTION SYSTEM
3. Shielding System – Trench Box

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EXCAVATION PROTECTION SYSTEM
Means Of Access and Egress
Excess with ladders:
• The ladder should be placed
always 3 feet extended from
the trench.

Excess by slope:
• Provide the slope as per the
type of soil by considering the
slope chart provided in
previous slide.

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EXCAVATION PROTECTION SYSTEM
Safety Requirements include, but are not limited to:
• Inspect the excavation and adjacent areas at least once
a day for possible cave in, failure of protective systems
and hazardous conditions.

• Trenches 5ft or more in depth shall be shored or walls

cut back to the appropriate slope to protect employees
from collapse.

• Ladders or other means of egress shall be provided in

each excavation. No more than 25ft of horizontal travel
shall be required to reach a ladder or other approved
safety egress.

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EXCAVATION PROTECTION SYSTEM
• Soil removed from an excavation and any other material
storage must be kept at least the same horizontal
distance away from the excavation edge as the total
depth.
• Excavations and trenches shall be appropriately
identified with signs, warnings and barricades.
• Barricades shall be kept at least 1.8 meters from open
edges of trenches and excavations.
• Support for excavations deeper than 20ft shall be
designed by a registered professional engineer.
• No Employee shall be permitted to work under lifting or
digging equipment.

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EXCAVATION PROTECTION SYSTEM
• Employees shall be required to stand away from any
vehicle being loaded or unloaded to avoid being struck
by any spillage or falling material.

• Pedestrian traffic and/or walking around or behind

excavation equipment shall be avoided and ALL ground
personnel shall establish positive eye contact with
equipment operators.

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EXCAVATION PROTECTION SYSTEM
Barricade System
• Barricades are used to segregate areas on site and
protect employees from the hazards that may exist
within.

• There are Two Types of Barricade

– Soft Barriers and Hard Barriers.

• Their use should be determined by a risk assessment

and should afford the protection required to protect
people from the hazard within.

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EXCAVATION PROTECTION SYSTEM
Barricade System
Soft Barriers
• Use to prevent pedestrians entering a hazardous area i.e.
barricade around cranes.
• Must be of Neftlon fencing or other similar type.
• Red and White warning tape can be used.

Hard Barriers
• Used to provide physical protection around a hazard i.e.
excavations and trenches, working next to roadways must be
capable of withstanding potential force impacting upon it.
• Must be a complete physical barricade i.e. linked jersey barriers,
scaffold tubing, removed spoil mounds (if using spoil, soft
barricading also required to increase visibility).

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EXCAVATION PROTECTION SYSTEM
Barricade System
Soft Barriers Hard Barriers

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EXCAVATION PROTECTION SYSTEM
Barricade System
All barricading regardless of type, must:
• Be complete around the hazard;
• Be of sufficient height;
• Have clear access / egress ways;
• Be of sufficient strength to protect the hazard;
• Have sufficient anchorage to withstand wind speeds;
• Have signage fixed to the barrier to describe the hazard or usage of
the barrier;
• Must be set back a sufficient distance from the hazard;
• Be maintained and inspected daily.

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EXCAVATION PROTECTION SYSTEM
Barricade System
All barricading regardless of type, must:
• Provide guard rails and toe boards where necessary;
• Avoid spoil or other materials close to excavation – they could fall
in or cause sides to collapse;
• Wear hard hat in excavations.

Note: Where people may get onto the site out of hours, backfill or
cover excavations to reduce risks.

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IDENTIFY THE HAZARDS

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IDENTIFY THE HAZARDS

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IDENTIFY THE HAZARDS

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PLANT, TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT SAFETY
• All equipment's must have Inspection sticker clearly displayed;
• All equipment shall be sound and properly maintained all time;
• Shall have reverse horn and all mirrors clean and intact;
• Authorized and competent driver / operator;
• Operator to check equipment every day before start of work;
• Operator / Supervisor / Banks man to Check for no one is in the
line of fire;
• Check for ground condition, edges of excavation;
• Barricade the area of line of fire during excavation;
• Ensure hand tools are in good condition and are not home-made.

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ARCHEOLOGICAL FINDINGS
• All Excavations carried out on Qasr al Hosn project must have a
Flagman/Spotter present. He is responsible to monitor the
excavation to identify if any artifacts are discovered;
• During Excavation if you find any archeological items or Structures
all works need to stop immediately and report directly to the
Construction Manager and Safety Manager.
• The Excavation should have all equipment stop working and all
entrants must be out from the Excavation and work area barricaded
until it has been checked and reviewed by the Project Management.

Contact Numbers:
• Construction Manager – Mohamad Alaeddine – 0564103785;
• Safety Manager – Pankaj Ingale – 0547910947.

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RISK CONTROL MEASURES
RISK / HAZARD CONTROL
Underground utilities Prepare an excavation permit for any activity that will break
ground.
Ensure that all utility avoidance measures have been taken.
If in doubt, hand dig the trial pit / trench to sufficient a depth to
expose any utilities that may be present..
Unexploded If unexploded ordnance is anticipated, do not commence work
ordnance until written advice that the issue has been mitigated in the area
of interest.
If unanticipated ordnance is encountered, stop all work, move to
a safe distance, and notify the local authorities.
Access and egress Requirements for ladder access / egress.
Excavated materials must be stored a minimum of 1.5 meters
from the top of excavation to ensure clear access / egress.
This distance requirement may increase on a case-by-case
basis depending on the ground conditions, the depth of the
hole, the details of installed shoring, etc.

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RISK CONTROL MEASURES
RISK / HAZARD
Confined space
Open excavations
Slope instabilities
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CONTROL
Depending on the size of a trench, this may be considered a
confined space. Confined space entry procedures apply.
Barricading and signage required for any excavations which may
be left open, including those left open through the night.
Working within the vicinity of open excavations greater than 1.8m
deep is considered working at height. Personnel working at the
top of the excavation are required to follow the appropriate
requirements.
A daily inspection, from surface, shall be performed of the faces
of the excavation, to assess any movements or potential slope
instabilities, prior to entering. This inspection shall be logged and
recorded, with the records remaining on file until completion of
the work.
For depths greater than 1.2m, shoring shall be provided,
designed to sufficient strength to withstand the lateral pressures
of the soils and any surcharge loading.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Supervisors:
• To ensure that Excavation Permit is in place prior to start of any
work in Excavation;
• To ensure that all potential hazards and risks communicated to the
work force daily in accordance with Conduct STARRT briefing;
• Make sure Pre-entry and Cat Scan; Gas Test shall be done before
starting of any excavation;
• To ensure that all persons under their control receive all required
HSE training to perform their duties;
• To ensure that all persons under their control are trained in
Emergency Response procedures;
• To ensure that any changes to construction processes are
communicated to HSE to enable the re-evaluation of relevant Risk
Assessments.

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RESPONSIBILITIES
Supervisors: (Cont.)
• Ensure entry / exit is secured;
• Verifying all emergency plans and specific entry conditions before
allowing any one into Excavation;
• Make sure access ways free of obstructions;
• Ensure that, workers are using the correct and proper PPE.

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EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
Fire:
• Raise Alarm (Verbal and Air Horn if required) and Evacuate;
• ONLY If trained - attempt to extinguish small Fires;
• DO NOT PUT YOURSELF OR OTHERS AT RISK;
• Call HSE 24 Hour Duty Phone;
• Watchmen prohibits any further entry other than Emergency team.

Gas Alarm:
• Raise alarm (Verbal and Air Horn);
• Call HSE 24 Hour Duty Phone;
• Watchman prohibits any further entry other than Emergency team.

Serious Injury:
• Raise alarm and surface team call for First Aider / Nurse to attend scene;
• Call HSE 24 Hour Duty Phone;
• Evacuate casualty via rescue stretcher as required following evaluation by Nurse /
external services.

Note: Permit cancelled until revalidated by HSE Department.

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 EXCAVATION
AWARENESS
PROOF OF LEARNING
ASSESSMENT

PASS MARK = 8 / 10

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 1 What is Excavation?
A. A cut in the earth’s surface formed by earth removal.
B. A trench in the earth’s surface formed by earth removal.
C. A digging in ground formed by earth removal.
D. All of the above.

2 Cave-ins conditions can change rapidly from no hazards

to life-threatening hazards:
A. True.
B. False.
3 Hazards of Excavation?
A. Asphyxiation due to lack of oxygen.
B. Inhalation of toxic materials.
C. Entrapment.
D. All of the above.

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 4 Which type of these are the excavation protection method?
A. Moving vehicles near edge.
B. Spoil near edges.
C. Sloping, Shoring, Shielding.
D. None.

5 If any accident happen into the Excavation what we need to do?

A. Step in and try to remove the person.
B. Call the 24 hour duty phone and emergency service, stop others
to enter into it.
C. Take pictures.
D. Walk away.
6 How many types of soil are present?
A. Type A, Type C.
B. Type A, Type B Type C.
C. Hard Rock, Type A, Type B, Type C.
D. Type B, Type D, Type A.

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 7 How we can protect the falling of people / vehicle into the excavation?
A. By Soft / Hard Barricading.
B. By Keeping open.
C. By Blocking the Access / Egress.
D. By a Signage.

8 Any trench / digging in earth’s surface, requires an Excavation

Permit?
A. True.
B. False.

9 Excavation – Supervisor is responsible:

A. Ensure required Permit is in place prior to start the job.
B. Make sure the Access way free from obstacle.
C. Verifying all emergency plans and specific entry conditions
before allowing any one into Excavation.
D. All of the above.

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10 Plant or Equipment working near the excavation requires?
A. Check for ground condition, edges of excavation.
B. Authorized and competent driver / operator.
C. Can drive as they wants to.
D. A and B.

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 1 What is Excavation?
A. A cut in the earth’s surface formed by earth removal.
B. A trench in the earth’s surface formed by earth removal.
C. A digging in ground formed by earth removal.
D. All of the above.

2 Cave-ins conditions can change rapidly from no hazards

to life-threatening hazards:
A. True.
B. False.
3 Hazards of Excavation?
A. Asphyxiation due to lack of oxygen.
B. Inhalation of toxic materials.
C. Entrapment.
D. All of the above.

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 4 Which type of these are the excavation protection method?
A. Moving vehicles near edge.
B. Spoil near edges.
C. Sloping, Shoring, Shielding.
D. None.

5 If any accident happen into the Excavation what we need to do?

A. Step in and try to remove the person.
B. Call the 24 hour duty phone and emergency service, stop others
to enter into it.
C. Take pictures.
D. Walk away.
6 How many types of soil are present?
A. Type A, Type C.
B. Type A, Type B Type C.
C. Hard Rock, Type A, Type B, Type C.
D. Type B, Type D, Type A.

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 7 How we can protect the falling of people / vehicle into the excavation?
A. By Soft / Hard Barricading.
B. By Keeping open.
C. By Blocking the Access / Egress.
D. By a Signage.
8 Any trench / digging in earth’s surface, requires an Excavation
Permit?
A. True.
B. False.
9 Excavation – Supervisor is responsible:
A. Ensure required Permit is in place prior to start the job.
B. Make sure the Access way free from obstacle.
C. Verifying all emergency plans and specific entry conditions
before allowing any one into Excavation.
D. All of the above.

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10 Plant or Equipment working near the excavation requires?
A. Check for ground condition, edges of excavation.
B. Authorized and competent driver / operator.
C. Can drive as they want to.
D. A and B.

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OUR SAFETY PHILOSOPHY

OUR SAFETY MISSION STATEMENT

“Our work is never so urgent that we cannot take the time needed
to perform it safely. It is the responsibility of everyone in the
organization to help to prevent incidents and accidents in the
workplace, so that everyone can leave work in the same condition
as when they arrived.”

OUR SAFETY SLOGAN

“Arrive Safely, Work Safely, Leave Safely”

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 Discussion…

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