As touched on a couple of times in this blog, Tucker Paving Inc. provides a number of services that go well beyond concrete and asphalt paving. Among these additional services are site excavation and trench digging.
This can be very dangerous work. In fact, excavating is recognized as one of the most hazardous of all construction operations. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that hundreds of people lose their lives each year in excavation or trenching accidents. These fatal accidents rip at the hearts of family members, employers, and co-workers, but even sadder is the realization that they’re often avoidable.
Because of the recognized danger of excavating and trenching, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that companies involved in this work put appropriate personnel through excavation and trenching awareness and/or competency training. “Appropriate personnel” means any employees who work in or around trenches and excavation sites. They must be adequately trained in the requirements of the OSHA Excavation Standard, 29 CFR 1926 (Subpart P).
Excavation safety training covers generally the hazards, regulatory requirements and safe work practices of work in excavations. Training details include hazard recognition; soil mechanics; shielding, shoring, and sloping; site inspection, safe work practices; awareness of underground utility lines; water accumulation; means of access and egress; and emergency procedures and rescue.
OSHA strongly recommends that excavating and trenching workers go through this training at least every three years to stay up to date on regulations, standards, and technology.
We at Tucker Paving, a safety-first company, are pleased to note that as part of all of our competencies, we hold current certification in both trench safety and excavation awareness.
If you have questions about any of our safety certifications and qualifications, please give us a call at 863-299-2262.
