| Excavation and trenching are known as the most | | | | utilities |
| unsafe construction operations. Excavation is | | | | Self protection |
| defined as any man-made cut, cavity, land clearing | | | | You should not enter an unprotected trench! |
| or trench in the earth's surface formed by earth | | | | Trenches 5 feet (1.5 meters) deep or superior |
| removal. A trench is defined as a narrow | | | | need a protective system unless the excavation |
| alternative excavation, which is deeper than it is | | | | is made totally in stable rock. Trenches 20 feet |
| wide, and is not wider than 15 feet (4.5 meters). | | | | deep or better require, which the protective |
| Dangers involved in Excavation and Trenching | | | | system be designed by an expert engineer or be |
| Cave-ins have the maximum risk and are much | | | | based on tabulated data prepared and/ or |
| more probable than other types of excavation | | | | approved by a registered expert engineer. |
| associated accidents to result in worker fatalities. | | | | Protective Systems |
| Other possible dangers include falls, falling loads, | | | | There are various kinds of protective systems |
| harmful atmospheres, and other incidents | | | | available. Sloping comprises cutting back the |
| concerning mobile equipment. Trench gives way | | | | trench wall at a slant inclined away from the |
| cause dozens of losses and hundreds of harms | | | | actual excavation. Shoring needs installing aluminum |
| each year. | | | | hydraulic or any other kinds of supports to stop |
| Common Excavation and Trenching Rules | | | | soil movement and cave-ins. Shielding defends |
| Heavy equipment tools should be kept away | | | | workers by making use of trench boxes and also |
| from trench edges. | | | | other types of supports to stop soil cave-ins. |
| Surcharge loads needs to be at least 2 feet from | | | | Designing a protective system could surely be |
| trench edges. | | | | compound because you have to think about |
| One should not work under raised loads. | | | | many factors: soil classification, depth of cut, |
| Test for low oxygen, dangerous fumes and other | | | | water soil, changes in the weather or climate |
| toxic gases. | | | | condition, surcharge loads (e.g., spoil, other tools to |
| Inspect the trenches that follow a rainstorm. | | | | be used in the trench) and other operations in the |
| You should know the location of underground | | | | surrounding area. |