Trenching and excavation involve a variety of important factors and it is not just digging a hole. There are many potential dangers that could happen when working on a drench or excavating, and these dangers can cause not only injuries but fatalities.
OSHA requires a knowledgeable person to be present to ensure they can keep an eye at everyone’s safety. By receiving proper training, you can ensure you will be able to work while avoiding many potential hazards and return home without an incident.
Whenever you are working on trenching or excavation you always need to follow a set of guidelines to ensure your safety and of those around you.
There are many dangers to consider when doing trenching and excavation, such as cave-ins, slip and falls, hazardous atmospheres and much more. Always be sure you have received proper training whenever you are about to excavate or work on a trench because you need to understand and consider the many hazards that could be around you.
Always work safely and consider the many potential hazards that could be lingering around you. Listening to your supervisor is an excellent way to keep you safe, but let me provide you a few more safety rules to ensure you will be safe.
Keep yourself protected
Carrying proper gear while working on trenching and excavation is crucial to your safety. While someone is excavating debris could come out flying in your direction, so you need to be sure you are carrying a hard hat, thick clothes, safety glasses, resistant gloves and many other secure objects that can keep you safe.
Never head to an excavation or trenching work without proper gear as you can be seriously injured due to the work environment. Air pollution and chemicals can be harmful to your lungs, so it is important to invest in NIOSH-approved N95 masks to protect yourself and your fellow workers.
These masks are effective at keeping out small particles, especially in environments with fine dust. Taking these precautions will allow for efficient work.
Consider everyone around you
When working on trenching and excavating you are not alone. You need to always consider those around you, as you must ensure not only your safety but also of your co-workers.
Be sure to always communicate properly with anyone in your surroundings, and if you encounter a problem let them know. By keeping good communication and considering those around you while you work, you can be sure fewer people can be injured in your work area.
Properly use each tool while you work
Each tool is used for a specific purpose, so you need to know how to use them properly. To ensure you are not injured you can use a shovel safely by keeping your feet wide apart, putting enough weight to your front foot, shift the weight to your rear foot and turning aside to the direction you want to throw the debris and send it away.
Each tool has its own set of guidelines and uses, so it is recommended you train properly in the use of the tools needed when you are going to do trenching or excavating.
Work on a trench or excavation site that has been inspected
Trenches and excavation sites must be properly inspected by a competent person to identify and work to reduce potential hazards in the work area. OSHA always requires a trained individual to do the inspection, and this person must identify not only hazards but also unsanitary conditions and the work environment.
If you are unsure about your safety on a trench or excavation site, then be sure to ask your supervisor if your work area has already been inspected.
Always test for toxic fumes, hazardous gases, and low oxygen
Depending on your work area, you can stumble with other things than rocks when excavating or trenching. It is recommended you always test your work environment to identify possible toxic fumes, hazardous gases or low oxygen.
Working on low oxygen or poisonous environment can be extremely dangerous and even fatal, so be sure you test or have someone test for low oxygen and toxic and hazardous fumes.
By keeping an eye on any possible hazard, you can be sure you will have a much calmer work environment without worry. Be sure to gear up, mind those around you and test for a safe work environment. Being able to work without fear of danger means you will work much better and even quicker, as you will be prepared to avoid any work-related injury or problem.
Be sure you read more about safe trenching and excavation, so you can ensure the safety of those around you and your own. There are many work-related hazards you could consider whenever you want to be safe, and you can always learn more and be safer while getting proper training.
