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According
to OSHA, excavation and trenching are among
the most hazardous jobs in the construction industry. The agency defines excavation as “any man-made cut,
cavity, trench, or depression in the Earth’s surface formed by earth removal. A
trench is a “narrow underground excavation that is deeper than it is wide, and
is no wider than 15 feet (4.5 meters).” OSHA has made it a top priority to make
sure you have the knowledge, tools, and techniques needed to stay safe when working
in and around excavations and trenches. Here are 5 tips to always keep in mind.

Have Protective Systems

Three of
the protective systems available to help keep the site safe are the three S’s –
sloping, shoring, and shielding. According to OSHA, the factors you must consider are “soil
classification, depth of the cut, the water content in the soil, changes to the
weather and climate, surcharge loads (e.g., spoil, other materials that may
need to be used in the trench, and other things going on in the vicinity).”
Take the time to do your research and see which protective system best fits the
site you are working on.

Keep the Site Safe

Make sure
every trench is protected with one of the systems mentioned above prior to
entering. Trenches that are five feet deep or greater
are required to have a protective system, like aluminum hydraulics to help
provide support, unless they are made entirely of stable rock (most are made of
soil). Trenches that are 20 feet deep or greater require a protective system
that is designed by a registered professional who is able to identify hazards
or working conditions that are dangerous to employees.

Keep Your Materials Close

Trenches
and excavation sites are often dark, so it’s important to make sure your tools
are secure and visible. When putting on your tool belt before work, make sure
your tools are easily accessible. It is also be helpful to have a halo light on
hand, so you can use it if it is hard to see.  

Keep Heavy Equipment Away!

The trench
edges can be very temperamental. You never know when rock is going to crumble
or if the ground is going to be too slippery to work. Heavy objects that are
placed near the trenches are a major hazard to everyone as they can fall into
the trench and ruin your work – or worse, seriously injure or even kill someone.

Inspect the Trenches

It’s
essential to do a thorough inspection before entering or working in trenches.
Unseen, undetected, or unexpected dangerous substances or materials may be
present – or may crop up due to any number of factors. For example, there can
be low oxygen, hazardous fumes, and toxic gases in the area.

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