What is the greatest risk in an excavation?
Summary 1 The greatest risk in an excavation is a cave-in. 2 Employees can be protected through sloping, shielding, and shoring the excavation. 3 A competent person is responsible to inspect the excavation. 4 Other excavation hazards include water accumulation, oxygen deficiency, toxic fumes, falls, and mobile equipment.
What factors pose a hazard to employees working in excavations?
Factors that pose a hazard to employees working in excavations 4. The role of a competent person at an excavation site Shield - can be permanent or portable. Also known as trench box or trench shield. 1. Slope or bench the sides of the excavation, 2. Support the sides of the excavation, or 3.
How dangerous is excavation and trenching?
Excavation and trenching are amongst the most dangerous operations in the construction industry. Dangers can include cave-ins, falling loads, hazardous atmospheres and hazards from using heavy equipment. Regular pre-work inspections can reduce hazards and serious risk of injury.
How many people die in excavations each year?
There are about seven deaths each year due to work in excavations. Many types of soil, such as clays, are self-supporting but others, such as sands and gravel, are not Many excavations collapse without any warning, resulting in death or serious injury. Many such accidents occur in shallow workings.
What is the greatest risk of fatality during excavation?
Cave-ins1. Cave-ins. Cave-ins are, by far, the greatest excavation risk. Also known as trench collapse, 168 workers lost their lives in this type of accident from 2011 to 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
What are some danger of excavation?
Excavation and trenching are amongst the most dangerous operations in the construction industry. Dangers can include cave-ins, falling loads, hazardous atmospheres, and hazards from using heavy equipment.
What are some dangers of excavation OSHA?
Trench collapses, or cave-ins, pose the greatest risk to workers' lives. When done safely, trenching operations can reduce worker exposure to other potential hazards include falls, falling loads, hazardous atmospheres, and incidents involving mobile equipment.
What causes the most deaths in excavations?
Trenching This is probably one of the most dangerous jobs out there for excavation workers. Trenching and excavation work accounts for 112% more fatalities than that of just general construction work.
What are the 4 potential hazards in excavation?
The hazards and risks are usually: Collapse of the sides of the excavation. Materials falling onto the people working in the excavation. People and vehicles falling into the excavation. The undermining of nearby structures causing their collapse into the excavation.
What is most likely to cause an excavation to collapse?
Wet weather and the vibrations from nearby construction equipment can also cause a collapse. In some cases, the problem is that heavy equipment and the weight of the dirt that has been dug out. Both can put too much pressure on the walls of the trench.
What are some dangers of excavations quizlet?
The dangers of excavations come from the possibility of cave-ins, in addition to the possibility of the lack of oxygen (asphyxiation), fire, accidental break of underground utility lines (such as gas, electricity), collapse due to moving machinery near the edge of the excavations, inhalation of toxic materials, and ...
Which of these is known as the greatest danger associated with excavations select the best option asphyxiation cave-ins fire underground utility lines?
The greatest risk in an excavation is a cave-in.
What is the greatest hazard facing a worker while working in a trench?
Cave-ins: The main hazard associated with trenching and excavation work, cave-ins occur when workers enter an unprotected trench and the walls collapse.
What poses the greatest risk of fatality during excavation activities?
Cave-ins pose the greatest risk and are more likely than some other excavation-related incidents to result in worker fatalities.
What are 2 of the more frequent causes of trench failure?
Slips, trips and falls as workers climb on and off equipment, or from inappropriate access and egress methods.
Why are a considerable number of the accidents in excavation work fatal?
Due to the nature of the job, most incidents involve cave-ins and collapses, which impose the highest risk of death.
How to keep everyone safe in excavation?
1. Falling Loads. Training your team to exercise caution when entering and working in or around the area helps keep them away from falling materials.
Why is it important to prevent excavation hazards?
Preparing for and preventing potential excavation hazards keeps your workforce safe! It also helps you complete each job safely and without delays. When workers stay safe, and you execute jobs faster (and with accuracy), your business grows!
What happens if you dig underground?
2. Cave-Ins. Digging underground can dislodge the soil overhead. Even with a plan to support the edges of a trench, a collapse or cave-in can injure a worker. In some cases, trench cave-ins can result in death. Make sure you follow property excavation safety protocols to shore-up the edges of a trench.
What to do when someone falls on a job site?
Train workers to stay alert and aware of debris, boundaries, equipment, and other hazards that cause a fall on the job site. Don’t forget about people who should not be in the excavation area! If your job site is close to other businesses or homes, make sure passersby or drivers can see the marked excavation area.
Why use a hydro excavator?
Using a hydro excavator can also help minimize toxicity in the air. Using air and water pressure to clear a work site reduces the amount of dust and particles that can disperse into the air during excavation. 5. Moving Equipment. Large machinery is always a hazard!
What happens if you fall into a trench?
If a worker falls into a trench or hole during excavation, they could experience a significant injury.
Is moving equipment a hazard?
Moving Equipment. Large machinery is always a hazard! On an excavation site, it’s critical to have a plan for moving excavators and other large equipment around the site to keep workers and the public safe. When relocating equipment, assign a spotter to each machine.
What are the hazards associated with excavations?
The specific hazards associated with excavations are as follows: the collapse of the sides; materials falling on workers in the excavation; falls of people and/or vehicles into the excavation; workers being struck by the plant; specialist equipment such as pneumatic drills; hazardous substances, particularly near the site ...
How often do you need to inspect excavations?
Although an inspection must be made at the start of every shift, only one report is required of such inspections every 7 days.
Why do buildings need to be shored up?
Nearby structures and buildings may need to be shored up if the excavation may reduce their stability. Scaffolding could also be de-stabilized by adjacent excavation trenches. The influx of water can only be controlled by the use of pumps after the water has been channeled into sumps.
How to prevent side of excavation from collapsing?
The sides of the excavation must be prevented from collapsing either by digging them at a safe angle (between 5 ° and 45 ° dependent on soil and dryness) or by shoring them up with timber, sheeting or a proprietary support system.
What are the health hazards associated with Weil's disease?
fumes, lack of oxygen and other health hazards (such as Weil’s disease). Clearly, alongside these specific hazards, more general hazards, such as manual handling, electricity, noise, and vibrations, will also be present.
How to prevent falls of material into the workings?
Falls of material into the workings can also be prevented by not storing spoil material near the top of the excavation. The workers should wear hard hats. If the excavation is more than 2 m deep, a substantial barrier consisting of guardrails and toe boards should be provided around the surface of the workings.
How to keep vehicles away from excavation site?
Vehicles should be kept away as far as possible using warning signs and barriers. Where a vehicle is tipping materials into the excavation, stop blocks should be placed behind its wheels. It is very important that the excavation site is well lit at night.
What is excavation danger?
Excavation Hazards are the dangers associated with soil excavation at the construction sites. While construction site excavation, both the workers inside trenches and on the surface are at high risk. So protective measures must be considered against the hazards in the excavation. In this article, we will explore different types ...
What are the risks of cave ins?
Other hazards include: Asphyxiation due to lack of oxygen. Inhalation of toxic materials. Fire. Excavated Soil or Equipment falling on workers. Moving machinery near the edge of the excavation can cause a collapse. Falling, Slips, Trips.
How far away should you place spoils from an excavation?
The following considerations should be made for preventing hazards from excavation spoils. Don’t place spoils within 2 feet from the edge of an excavation. Measure from the nearest part of the spoil to the excavation edge. Place spoils so rainwater runs away from the excavation.
What is the most dangerous construction activity?
The accidental severing of underground utility lines/power lines. Material handling Hazards. Excavation is one of the most hazardous construction activities. Most accidents occur in trenches 1.2 to 4.5 meters deep. There is usually no warning before a cave-in.
How far should a trench be?
Trenches less than 5 feet – a competent person must inspect to determine that a protection system is not necessary for soils where there is no indication of a potential cave-in. In hazardous soil conditions, trenches under 5 feet need protection.
How deep are ramps?
A stairway, ladder, or ramp must be present in excavations that are 1.2 meters or deeper#N#Structural ramps that are used solely by employees as a means of access or egress from excavations shall be designed by a competent person. Structural ramps used for access or egress of equipment shall be designed by a competent person qualified in structural design and shall be constructed in accordance with the design.#N#Ramps and runways constructed of two or more structural members shall have the structural members connected together to prevent displacement.#N#Structural members used for ramps and runways shall be of uniform thickness.#N#Cleats or other appropriate means used to connect runway structural members shall be attached to the bottom of the runway or shall be attached in a manner to prevent tripping.#N#Structural ramps used in lieu of steps shall be provided with cleats or other surface treatments o the top surface to prevent slipping.
What is the purpose of excavation?
Excavation is the removal of soil or rock from a construction site that creates an open space for installing pipes, equipment, etc using various construction tools, machinery, or explosives. So, excavation creates a hole or cavity that is hazardous. Various types of excavation hazards arise at the construction site.
What are the causes of excavation accidents?
Top causes of excavation accidents. 1. No call excavations. Failure to notify 811 is the leading cause of excavation accidents. More than a quarter (29.1 percent) of damages reported last year were because excavators did not notify a facility owner or operator of their projects through a One Call Center, according to the 2019 DIRT Report.
How much damage did excavators cause in 2019?
In 2019, excavators caused 33,665 utility damages—9.78 percent of the total reported damages—because they started digging before their allotted start date/time. An additional 4,362 damages were a result of excavators digging because facility operators/owners or contract locators did not respond to their locate requests.
How do utilities prevent excavation accidents?
To prevent excavation accidents, utilities must locate and accurately mark their facilities, including abandoned facilities, and provide One Call Centers with consistent and current information. This way, One Call Centers can accurately notify utilities of excavation activities near their facilities.
What is the greatest risk at an excavation?
The greatest risk at an excavation. 2. How to protect employees from cave-ins. 3. Factors that pose a hazard to employees working in excavations. 4. The role of a competent person at an excavation site. The employer shall select and construct : 1. slopes and configurations of sloping and benching systems.
What are the hazards of excavation?
Employees can be protected through sloping, shielding, and shoring the excavation. 3. A competent person is responsible to inspect the excavation. 4. Other excavation hazards include water accumulation, oxygen deficiency, toxic fumes, falls, and mobile equipment.
What causes a collapse in excavation?
Moving machinery near the edge of the excavation can cause a collapse. 6. Accidental severing of underground utility lines. Injury and Death. 1. Excavating is one of the most hazardous construction operations. 2. Most accidents occur in trenches 5-15 feet deep. 3.
How deep is a trench?
2. Most accidents occur in trenches 5-15 feet deep. 3. There is usually no warning before a cave-in. Excavation (Def) Excavation - a man-made cut, cavity, trench, or depression formed by earth removal. Trench (Def) Trench - a narrow excavation. The depth is greater than the width, but not wider than 15 feet.
What is trenching in construction?
Trench - a narrow excavation. The depth is greater than the width, but not wider than 15 feet. Shield (Def) Shield - a structure able to withstand a cave-in and protect employees. Shorting (Def) Shoring - a structure that supports the sides of an excavation and protects against cave-ins.
What happens if the competent person finds evidence of a possible cave-in?
If the competent person finds evidence of a possible cave-in, indications of failure of protective systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions: Exposed employees must be removed from the hazardous area. Employees may not return until the necessary precautions have been taken. Site Evaluation Planning.
What are the factors involved in designing a protective system?
3. Place a shield between the side of the excavation and the work area. Factors Involved in Designing a Protective System. 1. Soil classification. 2. Depth of cut.
Excavation Definition
What Is Trench Excavation?
What Is Shoring Excavation?
Types of Excavation
Hazards Associated with Excavations
- There are about seven deaths each year due to work in excavations. Many types of soil, such as clays, are self-supporting, but others, such as sands and gravel, are not. Many excavations collapse without any warning, resulting in death or severe injury. Many such accidents occur in shallow workings. It is important to note that, although most of th...
Precautions and Controls Measures For Excavations
Inspection and Reporting Requirements
5 Common Trenching & Excavation Safety Hazards
Excavation Risk Assessment
Types of Excavation Hazards
Definitions Related to Excavation Hazard
Precautions from Excavation Hazards
Excavation Safety Plan Requirements
Design of Protective Systems Against Excavation Hazards and Risks
Protect Employees Exposed to Potential Cave-Ins
Controlling Factors For Excavation Protective System
Shoring in Construction
Hydraulic Trench Support
Materials and Equipment