HSE Training Presented By:

Excavation Hazards
QHSE Lead
Azhar Saleem Mian
HSE Training : Excavation Hazards

Overview:
• Excavation Hazards
• Before you Dig Think!
• Dangerous conditions
• Collapse Precaution
• Application of Shoring
• Benching / Battering
• Angles of Response
• Inspection Requirements
• Excavation
• Barriers
• Effects of Whether
• Hazards of Excavation
HSE Training : Excavation Hazards

Excavation Hazards:
Hazards Of:

• Trench Work
• Timbering Work and Shoring
• Underground Services
• Water Ingress
• Spoil
• Lighting
• Gases
• Ladders
HSE Training : Excavation Hazards

Before You Dig Think!

• Proximity to underground services - Gas, Water,
Electricity?
• Use Cable Plans or Locators
• No mechanical digging within 0.5 metres of marked buried
cable hand dig only.
• Proximity to another Structure?
• Could your digging weaken it or cause it to collapse?
• What to do with the Spoil?
HSE Training : Excavation Hazards

Before You Dig Think!

• Must be kept be away from edges to reduce the risk of
collapse.
• Trench sides can collapse suddenly whatever the nature
of the soil: any excavation must have the sides sloped
(battered), benched or adequately shored-up.
• Must keep spoil away from sides
HSE Training : Excavation Hazards

Dangerous Conditions:
Cracks caused by
release or drying out.
Water can enter cracks and weaken any
unstable ground which is then liable to
collapse

TYPES
OF SOIL MOIST
EARTH
HSE Training : Excavation Hazards

Collapse Precaution:

Shoring
HSE Training : Excavation Hazards

Applications of Shoring:
Is this an Effective Application of Shoring?
HSE Training : Excavation Hazards

Applications of Shoring:
Is this an Effective Application of Shoring?
HSE Training : Excavation Hazards

Hydraulic Shoring:
HSE Training : Excavation Hazards

Benching:

Battering:
HSE Training : Excavation Hazards

Angles of Response:

Battered (Sloped) sides are safe provided that the angle is

shallow enough to prevent material / falling sliding in. This
depends on the type of soil and the weather.
HSE Training : Excavation Hazards

Angles of Response:
All Angles are from Horizontal. The illustration shows the
steepest angles above which certain material will slide if
unsupported.

Moist Earth 50°

Vertical Drained clay or rubble 45°

Dry Earth 28°

Gravel with Sand 25°
Wet Sand 22°
Wet Clay 6°
Horizontal
HSE Training : Excavation Hazards

Inspection Requirements:
• Inspection by trained and competent person at least once
per day when men are working (before use):
• If side or roof supports provided:-
• Prior to start of any shift.
• Also after:
• After any event affecting strength or stability.
• After any fall of rock, earth etc.
• Inspection must also include examination of any plant
equipment or material which could affect the safety of the
workplace.
HSE Training : Excavation Hazards

Excavation:
Ladders must be
provided for access into
excavations.

Using WALINGS and

STRUTS to gain access
to an excavation must be
PROHIBITED!
HSE Training : Excavation Hazards

Excavation:
Stop Blocks:
To prevent vehicles getting close to the edge of excavations,
causing possible collapse or falling in.
HSE Training : Excavation Hazards

Barriers:
A spoil heap can be an effective barrier; but a proper fence is
required to stop people from falling into excavations. At the
end of the working day the excavation must be left in a safe
condition.
HSE Training : Excavation Hazards

Effects of Whether:

Atmospheric Pressure:
A stagnant atmosphere, (Damp Foggy Days), encourages
the pooling of natural gases.
Acid rain penetrating chalk produces Carbon Dioxide gas,
heavier than Air, which can dilute respirable oxygen in deep
excavations.
Dry Weather:
Ground will dry out and shrink - loosens shoring.
HSE Training : Excavation Hazards

Effects of Whether:

Wet Weather:
Ground will absorb moisture causing it to swell and displace
shoring.
Soil may leak into the excavation from behind the sheeting.
Special care necessary when pumping out water to avoid
undermining the trench walls.
HSE Training : Excavation Hazards

Hazards of Excavation:
• The Excavation can start to collapse
Get Out, Get Others and Report
• You may unearth a pipe or cable
Assume Cable is Live - Stop Work and Report it. Pipe
Undamaged and Adequately Supported
• You may find marker tape, tiles or pink concrete
Stop and Report it if Safe to Do So, Hand Dig Only. (i.e. use
a shovel and NOT a pick)
HSE Training : Excavation Hazards

Hazards of Excavation:
• You may smell gas
Stop, Get Out, Get Others Out and Report it.
HSE Training : Excavation Hazards