Tips for Staying Safe at an Excavation Site

Regardless of the nature of the construction project, the first activity that must be implemented to get the project started is excavation. Excavation entails digging a pit to lay foundations for the structure that will be built. Because excavation is one of the most dangerous construction operations, there are numerous hazards that must be avoided while digging on a construction site. With worker safety as the top priority, a list of precautions must be in place prior to the start of any excavation project.

 

Whether the excavation involves digging a small plot or a large trench, safety planning is a practice that is crucial to the success of the construction project. Safety planning also ensures that no workers are harmed and that the underground utilities are not harmed, as contact with buried cables and pipes can be problematic. Underground services impede any construction project by exposing workers to hazards such as fires, electrocution, flooding, and gas leaks.

 

Excavation Risk Factors You Need to Know

Workers must be wary of a variety of fatal problems during any excavation project, including cave-ins, falling loads, equipment accidents, and more. Workers should be given the necessary information, such as the condition of the land and the equipment in use, as well as the positioning of underground services, in order to avoid disasters.

 

Following a Safety First Approach

At the start of any excavation project, several safety guidelines should be introduced. Trench inspections and pit wall inspections must be performed on a regular basis. Workers should be warned not to enter an unprotected trench, and they should always wear safety equipment on the construction site. If the inspection reports indicate that there will be unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous conditions at the excavation site, all work should be halted immediately before further inspection and elimination of the problem.

 

Setting Up a Protective System

To provide safe and secure working conditions for construction workers, the excavation site must be protected during excavation. Standard excavation protective systems protect the trench and sidewalls, ensuring that no worker is at risk. Here are three methods that offer maximum safety during excavation:

 

Shielding: Shielding is a method used to avoid soil cave-ins. In shielding, supports such as trench boxes are utilized to protect the workers.

Shoring: Used for restricting soil movement and protection against cave-ins, shoring involves the installation of supports such as aluminum hydraulics.

Sloping: In sloping, the trench wall is cut at a certain angle that inclines the wall away from the excavation.

Choosing the best method from the list above entails taking into account a variety of factors such as soil water content, soil classification, current weather, and trench depth.

 

Safety Entry and Exit

Any excavation job cannot be completed unless a perfect entry and exit on the excavation site is established. The safe entry and exit of workers includes the installation of ladders, ramps, and steps in accordance with the terrain of the site.

 

Inspecting Existing Structure

In some cases, the required construction may be too close to another structure, or the excavation site may come into contact with underground services where the trench must be dug. Existing structures should be respected in such cases, and their condition should not have been tampered with. Underground cables and pipes can put workers in danger, and repairing them may increase the project cost. Hydro excavation experts should be hired for such projects because they use the best equipment and eliminate all potential risk factors.

 

Choosing the Right Tools

Using old tools at an excavation site is a sign of impending disaster. For a risk-free excavation project, it is important to use up-to-date tools and technologies. Choosing the best hydrovac services company gives you access to the most up-to-date equipment and ensures maximum output with no room for error. Before hiring an excavation company, make sure they use quality equipment, have an experienced staff, and follow all necessary safety protocols.

 

Aussie Hydro-Vac Services offers a one-stop shop for all of your excavation needs, including service locating, non-destructive digging, vacuum loading, drain cleaning, liquid waste disposal, industrial cleaning, and more. They provide innovative and cost-effective solutions for digging projects, ensuring that no utilities are damaged. Aussie Hydro-Vac Services’ trained staff has over ten years of experience as excavation experts and uses hydrovac technology to safely complete all excavation projects. If you are looking for excavation experts in Queensland or New South Wales, Aussie Hydro-Vac Services offers dependable, safe, and long-term solutions through advanced equipment, experienced professionals, and safe work practices.