Excavation Safety Excavation Safety Company Harlan McPhee North McPhee South Powerhawke Ravex Richards Company Using the Form Job Name * Job Name and/or Number Date * Excavation Safety According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, thirty-nine people died doing trench or excavation work in the U.S. in 2022. In fact, the number of worker fatalities more than doubled since 2021, continuing a troubling trend cited by the Bureau that found 166 workers died in trench cave-ins from 2011-2018, an average of 21 each year. Excavations are a common sight on construction sites all across the United States. This work can come with numerous hazards, but excavation work can be made safe by following basic safety guidelines. Some Major Hazards of Excavation Work • Cave in and collapses • Water accumulation (drowning) • Falls into the excavation • Utility strikes • Poisonous gases collecting in an excavation General Ways to Mitigate Excavation Hazards • Follow OSHA’s guidelines for protective systems to protect employees entering the excavation. Often times the soil being excavated is referred to as “Type C,” which is the most hazardous for employees to enter. Excavations should be sloped back according to OSHA’s guidelines which depend on the soil type. Trench boxes and shoring are other options to protect employees entering the excavation. • Prohibit equipment and other employees from working above anyone working in the trench or excavation. • Keep water out of the excavation. Use pumps to remove water from the excavation and do not allow employees to be in any excavation or trench that has water accumulating in it. Water affects the integrity of the excavation. • Never leave the excavation open when work is not being performed in the area. Use barricades, fencing, and signage to protect both employees and anyone passing by from falling into the excavation or driving into it. • Always use the “Call Before You Dig” service in your area to ensure there are no utilities in proposed excavation areas or have utilities properly marked prior to digging. Look at as-built drawings when they are available for the area where the excavation is occurring. • When there is a chance for a hazardous atmosphere in an excavation and individuals must enter it, ensure gas testing is done including any low points where gases can collect. Discussion points: -Has anyone experienced a trench collapse or cave-in at another job? -What are some other hazards excavation operations create onsite? -How can we further protect ourselves from the hazards that excavation operations create? Additional Comments Trainer Name * Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Picture Upload Drop a file here or click to upload Choose File Maximum upload size: 52.43MB reCAPTCHA If you are human, leave this field blank. Submit Δ
