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SAFETY in the Trenches

Excavation and trenching are among the most hazardous construction operations. Cave-ins pose the greatest risk and are much more likely than other excavation-related accidents to result in worker fatalities. Other potential hazards include falls, falling loads, hazardous atmospheres, and incidents involving mobile equipment.

No matter how many trenching, shoring, and backfilling jobs you have done in the past, it is important to approach each new job with the utmost care and preparation. Many on-the-job accidents result from inadequate initial planning. Waiting until after the work has started to correct mistakes in shoring or sloping slows down the operation, adds to the cost, and increases the possibility of a cave-in or other excavation failure.

• Observe these guidelines for safe projects:
• Evaluate soil conditions and select appropriate protective systems.
• Construct protective systems in accordance with the standard requirements.
• Preplan; contact utilities (gas, electric) to locate underground lines, plan for traffic control if necessary, determine proximity to structures that could affect choice of protective system.
• Test for low oxygen, hazardous fumes and toxic gases, especially when gasoline engine-driven equipment is running, or the dirt has been contaminated by leaking lines or storage tanks. Insure adequate ventilation or respiratory protection if necessary.
• Provide safe access into and out of the excavation.
• Provide appropriate protections if water accumulation is a problem.
• Inspect the site daily at the start of each shift, following a rainstorm, or after any other hazard-increasing event.
• Keep excavations open the minimum amount of time needed to complete operations.

June 2003 IBEW Journal