Excavation

Safety

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Excavation
• is any man-made cut, cavity or
depression in an earth surface
that is formed by earth removal.

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Trench
• is a narrow excavation where the depth
is greater than its width, and the width
measured at the bottom is not greater
than 15 ft.

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 Hazards of Excavation Works

• Soil Collapse
• Falls
• Vehicular Traffic
• Underground Utilities
• Working Surface
• Confined Space Conditions
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 Principal Causes of Soil Collapse
• Steep cutting angle
• Super imposed load
• Shock & Vibration
• Water Pressure
• Drying

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 Soil Collapse

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 Other Soil Reactions

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 Prevention of Soil Collapse

Type A – Most stable: clay

Type B – Medium stability: silt and unstable
rock (disturbed soil as type B)

Type C – Least stable: gravel, loamy sand,

submerged soil, soil from which water is freely
seeping.
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Department of Labor and Employment
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 Prevention of Soil Collapse
 Cut the slope at a safe angle (H:V)

• Type A - 3/4:1 or 53°

• Type B - 1:1 or 45°

• Type C - 1½ :1 or 34°
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 Prevention of Soil Collapse

• Provision of shoring and timbering

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Sheet Piles
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Plate Lining System Box Type

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Shielding
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Prevention of Soil Collapse

Per Rule 1413 of the Occupational Safety and

Health Standards (OSHS):

The walls of every excavation over 1 meter

deep shall be supported by adequate
shoring…

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 Falls

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 Falls
• Minimum Berm
- not less than one third of the depth of
the excavation
- may be reduced to not less than 1 meter
provided that materials are stable,
shoring and barriers are present
(Per Rule 1413 of the OSHS)

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 Falls

 Barricades of at least 1
meter high should be
provided.

 Signs should be posted

to prevent the public
from going near the
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excavation.

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 Surface Crossing of Trenches

• Walkways or bridges
must be provided
• Minimum clear width
of 20 in.
• With standard rails
• Extended a minimum
of 24 in. past the
v surface edge

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 Vehicular Traffic
• Provide workers with
warning vests or other
suitable garments
marked with reflectorized
materials
• Designate a trained
flagperson along with
signs and barricades
when necessary
• Use horn or give signals
v to ensure safety.

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 Underground Utilities

• Determine location of
underground facilities
and take necessary
steps to prevent damage
to these facilities.
• In an open excavation,
support, protect or
v remove underground
installation.

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 Working Surface

• Excavation shall be
kept free of water at all
times
• And in muddy area,
workers should be
provided with boots to
reduce the hazard of
slipping.
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 Groundwater Control

Sump Pumping Well Pointing

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 Well Pointing

v Single-sided Well Point Double -sided Well Point

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Confined Space Conditions

Hazardous Atmosphere:
• Oxygen, O2 : < 19.5% or > 23.5%
• Flammable gas concentration > 10% of Lower
Flammability Limit (LFL)
• Hazardous toxic chemicals

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 Confined Space Conditions

• Excavation in confined space

• Check the condition of the atmosphere before entry
• Do not work alone in a confined space
• Provide lifeline
• Provide ventilation or blower before entering
• Provide emergency rescue equipment such as
breathing apparatus, safety harness and line and
basket stretcher

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 Ingress and Egress
(Ladder)

50 feet (max)

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 Ingress and Egress
(Ladder)

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 Ingress and Egress
(Ladder)

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Working in Excavation
• Prior to opening
Check excavation permit
Identify all underground installations
Remove trees, boulders, stumps, other surface
encumbrances and hazards before starting
excavation

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 Working in Excavation

• During operations
Wear appropriate PPE
Safe working distance between workers
Maintain guardrails, fences, or other barricades
and warning lights

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 Working in Excavation

• During break time, workmen should never

stand or take rest on high banks of soft
material
• Do not leave tools, materials, or debris in
walkways, ramps, or near the edge of
excavations
• Do not use guardrails as resting place
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 Inspection
• Daily before start of each shift
• After heavy rain
• When fissures, tension cracks, undercutting,
water seepage, bulging at the bottom or other
conditions occur
• When there is any indication of change or
movement in adjacent structures or spoil pile
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Rule 1413 of the OSHS states that excavation
shall be inspected at least once everyday.
h Department of Labor and Employment
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 Summary
• Remember:
• An excavation may not be safe to enter without a
proper support structure being provided.
• Back-filled ground are especially dangerous.
• Water increases the possibility of a cave in.
• Excavation should be considered as a confined space.
• A worker does not have to be completely buried in soil
to be seriously injured or killed.

h Department of Labor and Employment

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 Department of Labor and Employment
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Have a nice week!!!
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Department of Labor and Employment

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