Trench/Excavation Cave-ins

 

An average of 60 workers die in trench/excavation cave-ins each year. Of the 607 cave-in fatalities identified by NIOSH researchers in the ten year period from 1980 to 1989, construction workers accounted for 77% of those deaths. Almost without exception, trench/excavation deaths can be prevented by following existing OSHA safety regulations.

Several factors contribute to trench cave-ins. For example, soil stability is related to soil type and may be affected by changes in weather. In the spring, unshored trench walls, heavy from rain, can become unstable. Also, when damp soil is exposed to air during excavation, it can dry out and lose the ability to stand on its own, increasing the risk that it will slide into the trench. Other factors, such as how close the excavation is to highways, large machinery, back filled areas or existing structures, can affect soil stability as well.

The following trench/excavation rules are those that OSHA recently cited the most when inspecting construction jobsites.

#1 Protection in excavations—Employees in an excavation must be protected from a cave-in by an adequate protective system unless the excavation is: (1) made entirely in stable rock, or (2) less than 5 feet deep and a competent person has determined there is no indication of a potential cave-in. Protective systems that may be used include: sloping and benching, trench shields, or support systems such as timber or aluminum hydraulic shoring.

#2 Inspections—Your competent person must make daily inspections of excavations, the adjacent areas, and protective systems for evidence of situations that could result in possible cave-ins, indications of failure of protective systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions. Your competent person must conduct the inspection prior to the start of work and as needed throughout the shift. Inspections must also be made after every rainstorm or other hazard increasing occurrence. These inspections are only required when employee exposure can be reasonably anticipated.

#3 Access and egress—In excavations that are 4 feet or more deep, a stairway, ladder, ramp or other safe means of getting out must be located so as to require no more than 25 feet of lateral travel for employees to reach the escape method.

#4 Spoil piles and other fall back—Employees must be protected from excavated or other materials or equipment that could pose a hazard by falling or rolling into excavations. Protection must be provided by placing and keeping such materials or equipment at least 2 feet from the edge of the excavation, or by the use of retaining devices that are sufficient to prevent materials or equipment from falling or rolling into excavations, or by a combination of both if necessary.

#5 Exposed employees—Where your competent person finds evidence of a situation that could result in a possible cave-in, indications of a failure of a protective system, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions, exposed employees must be removed from the hazardous area until the necessary precautions have been taken to ensure their safety.

This information is provided by Assurance Agency https:www.assuranceagency.com