Occupational Hazards That Workers Should Avoid At Excavation Sites

The commonest construction activities you will come across at a site are excavation and trenching. It’s a fact construction project can rarely do without proper excavation and trenching. Trenching and excavation works are hazard-prone. Chances of workers experiencing injuries cannot be overruled. Sometimes, workers even succumb to death when they fail to follow safety guidelines during an excavation project. In the next few lines, we will discuss the common safety hazards, workers are subject to experience. Have a look: 

Cave-ins 

Trench collapse is a common cause of accidents at construction sites. It’s a serious threat to workers and hence demands safety. In order to prevent cave-ins from occurring professional engineers will analyse the soil composition and further design as well as implement a proper system which perfectly does the following: 

• Slopes 
• Supports 
• Shields 

Hence, it is vital to hire professional engineers who are well qualified and have the capability to conceptualise and design a system which is effective in preventing cave-ins. Moreover, experts recommend testing the soil before embarking on the project as weather elements influence the soil stability. Generally, an inspection should be conducted before rains or after any kind of extreme weather condition. 

Falls or falling load 

Sometimes workers may fall into excavated areas and at other times, equipment may fall into the ditch. An effective precautionary measure is to install a safety signage or barrier close to the perimeter of the site. The signage will clearly determine the hazard ahead. Falling loads mostly include excavated waste and equipment, which might accidentally fall into a trench crushing someone below. That’s why it is crucial that excavation engineers in Albion Park must create a separate site for storing materials, supplies and equipment at least a couple of feet from the edge of the trench. 

Hazardous atmosphere 

Some trenching sites can turn out extremely hazardous for workers. The sites may lack oxygen availability. Hence it is vital that engineers must examine the site for contamination by chemicals or toxic gases. Atmospheric testing is thus important. The tests should be conducted by professionals at excavation sites. When there is a copious amount of hazardous gas present at a site, workers are required to wear appropriate safety gears that will help them keep away from inhaling such toxic compounds. It is vital for every worker to wear respiratory gears. 

Hitting the utility lines 

Excavation jobs are always hazardous. They can cause expensive damage to utility lines, a reason why engineers must first contact utility companies and talk to them regarding the project so that hazards can be prevented. There have been several dangerous incidents when utility lines got hit by excavators and led to massive accidents. Digging too deep and reaching utility lines can cause electrocution and gas leaks. In order to avoid hitting the utility perimeters engineers must contact utility companies to ensure the crew is safe. The utility companies send engineers who will further set the markings so that the excavator in Wollongong doesn’t hit the system. 

Jobsite safety is crucial especially for excavation projects. Engineers involved in the project should first examine the site before giving the green signal.