Surprising Facts About Trenching Safety

As you probably know, anytime you undertake a construction or excavation project, safety is the highest priority. The equipment used in trenching services in Roseville, CA is effective in digging up swathes of earth—which means that it can be harmful or even fatal to humans if an accident occurs.

There is some confusion about trenching and excavation, however, which means that some companies don’t follow trenching safety standards to the fullest extent. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)’s excavation safety standards include trenching procedures, and it’s important to follow them to the letter.

Here are some commonly misunderstood trenching facts:

• Competent person required: OSHA requires a “competent person” on the site who has sufficient training, education and experience to oversee proceedings. Their job is to inspect and evaluate the work being performed, especially if any issues arise during the course of the excavation.
• Excavations include trenches: OSHA’s definition of “excavation” is so broad that even a shovelful of dirt technically counts as an excavation—which means that all the excavation safety standards apply to trenching projects. Even trenches as small as 38 inches can collapse and harm or even kill workers.
• Soil is heavy: Why go to all this bother? Well, many people underestimate just how heavy soil is—one cubic yard can weigh up to 4,000 pounds, or the equivalent of an average car. If that soil falls on a person, the results can be devastating. Even small trenches can cause serious injuries like broken hips, as well as suffocation, cutting off circulation and more.
• Water must be assessed: If workers strike water at any point during the trenching process, they’re required to stop procedures immediately and have the established competent person come to inspect the situation. Only after they give the go-ahead may trenching resume.
• Vehicles can make a job site unstable: Any vehicle on your job site, whether a personal car or a piece of heavy equipment, causes vibrations in the ground. Those vibrations can travel through the earth and the trench, loosening the soil and making the excavation unstable. If you have vehicles on your job site, be sure you know where they are at all times and make it clear that no driving is to occur without approval—otherwise, the results could be dangerous.
• Your trench height is affected by the spoil pile: Unless your spoil pile is two or more feet away from the trench, it becomes part of the trench height. We recommend moving the spoil pile daily, at least, and keeping an eye on it so it doesn’t inadvertently become part of the project.

Keeping safety at the forefront of our minds is what makes Es7 Comm-2 U, Inc.’s drilling and trenching services in Roseville, CA so valuable. We take special care to ensure the health of our workers and customers, and will work with you to see that your project is completed without a hitch. Get in touch with us today to discuss your trenching project. We look forward to assisting you soon.

Categorised in: Trenching Contractors

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