Tucker Paving offers underground utilities and Earthworks like excavation, and our 30 years in the construction industry have shown us that trenches can present a tremendous hazard. June was Trench Safety Month, but anytime is a good time to look at the most common trench safety dangers and how to avoid them.
Most Common Trench Hazards and How to Avoid Them
1. Trench Collapse/ Cave-Ins. A cave-in is when the sides of a trench collapse into the excavation; this is obviously deadly dangerous for anyone in a trench when hundreds or even thousands of pounds of soil or other substrate fall into the excavation.
How to Avoid: Utilize the “Slope It, Shore It, Shield It,” recommendations. The sides of the trench must be sloped so that for every foot of depth, the trench must be excavated back 1.5 feet, the trench sides must be shored with lateral supports to keep it from collapsing, and the sides should be shielded with vertical supports to protect workers from collapsing substrate.
2. Falling Loads: Equipment, machinery, and materials placed too close to the edge of the trench can fall in, injuring those within the trench.
How to Avoid: Don’t place materials, machinery, or equipment close to the edge of an excavation.
3. Falling Workers. Workers can fall into the depths of the trench.
How to Avoid: Mark edges of excavations with safety railing and signage.
4. Trapped Workers. Workers can become trapped in a trench if there is not a safe, dedicated way to exit the trench.
How to Avoid: Ensure there is a safe way to enter and exit any excavation.
5. Workers can be harmed by utilities. Workers who are digging can come into contact with electrical cables, gas lines, or water mains and sustain injuries or worse.
How to Avoid: Have utilities marked before digging begins.
6. Hazardous Atmospheres: Trenches can act like confined spaces and collect harmful and/or flammable gases, or gases that create a low oxygen environment.
How to Avoid: Have trenches inspected for safety by a competent person, including testing the atmosphere of the trench, before entering. Treat trenches that have a hazardous atmosphere like a confined space when it comes to safety protocols.
7. Water Accumulating. Water can accumulate in excavations due to groundwater, rainfall, and leaks, creating a hazard for numerous reasons. Water can pose an electrocution danger if power tools are being used, it makes the footing slippery, and it increases the likelihood of cave-ins.
How to Avoid: Have water pumped out before entering an excavation.
8. Contact With Heavy Machinery. Digging excavation utilizes heavy equipment, like excavators, that can pose a danger to workers.
How to Avoid: Always use a spotter when heavy machinery like excavators are being operated near workers, power lines, and around other hazardous scenarios.
Tucker Paving offers site construction services; our Earthwork services include site clearing, site grading, stabilized subgrade, base work, and underground utilities! Our trenching experience is in addition to over three decades in the asphalt and concrete paving industry. Contact us by calling (863) 299-2262, or fill out our contact form online, to let us help you with your next Earthworks project!