Excavation work is a dangerous job. Every year, workers are injured or killed due to the hazardous conditions associated with this type of work. Both employers and employees need to be aware of the risks involved in excavation and take necessary precautions to avoid accidents. We’re diving in and discussing some dangers of excavations and what you can do to avoid accidents.
What is excavation work?
Excavation work is the process of digging, trenching, and removing earth through the use of equipment such as excavators, dump trucks, and loaders. It can expand an existing business or construction site or build a basement in the case of residential projects.
When moving massive amounts of earth, there are always inherent dangers associated with this type of work. Without proper safety precautions, excavation can be a dangerous job.
Workers are at risk for numerous injuries and fatalities every year due to the potentially dangerous conditions associated with excavation work. It is essential to consider these dangers before entering an excavation project to avoid injury or death.
The dangers of excavations.
Most of the dangers are primarily associated with being crushed or trapped by heavy equipment, being hit by falling objects, electrocuted by power tools, tripping over excavating machinery or stepping through the unstable footing.
In addition to simple accidents, there’s also the threat of collapsing earth. If an excavation is unsafe, adding machinery or moving earth can cause the unstable side to collapse.
Since excavations are inherently dangerous, both employees and employers must be aware of the risks involved to take proper safety precautions before beginning work.
How to avoid accidents while excavating.
The best way to avoid excavation accidents is through proper planning and preparation.
Employers should always hire experienced and qualified workers with the appropriate training and experience necessary for the job. All excavator operations should have a safety-focused mindset at all times.
They need to organize a site ahead of time, considering foreseeing hazards, location of traffic and machinery, proximity to buildings or underground utilities, and drainage patterns.
Before beginning any excavation work, employers should have a risk assessment done on the area of work to identify potential hazards and evaluate the appropriate level of precautions.
It’s also essential for workers to be aware of these dangers to take proper precautions. It would be best to mark excavation sites with barriers and warning signs, especially near any excavation equipment or holes in the ground.
Excavation work can be a dangerous job if the proper safety precautions are not taken. Employers and employees should be aware of the dangers involved in excavation work and take necessary precautions to avoid accidents. Planning and taking appropriate safety measures can help minimize the risk of injury or death while working in an excavation site.
