Let’s Discover Some Tips For Safe Excavations

One of the most risky phases of construction is excavation. The main risk comes from ground movements that can cause landslides, collapses and collapse of the defensive structures, which means that there is a possibility that workers will end up buried. Accidents that occur during excavations are therefore usually quite serious and relatively frequent.

The Excavation site work in Heidelberg therefore requires adequate planning and execution, so first of all, a series of prior actions must be taken into account along with following the levied Australian Standards AS2601, Building Act 1993, Building Regulations 2006 and O.H & S standards. This will indicate the necessary safety measures to avoid or reduce the risks.

First, it is advisable to define the excavation process to be carried out :

●   Type of land- it is very important to carry out a geotechnical study to determine its properties,

●   Planned machinery,

●   Whether or not there are neighboring areas, etc.

Below we present a series of practical recommendations for carrying out safe excavations and avoiding fatal accidents.

Tips for carrying out a safe excavation process

[1]    Examine the terrain beforehand

The first thing to do before starting excavation work is to survey the terrain. To do this, it will be necessary to carry out a geotechnical study that provides information on the type of terrain we are going to find and, in this way, to be able to make the correct calculations and measures to mitigate risks. Knowing the physical and chemical properties of the terrain on which the work is going to be carried out is essential both from a production and safety point of view.

Likewise, before proceeding with the excavation, it is necessary to know the exact location of the public services that affect the site, noting the exact depth at which they are located and protecting them from possible overloads that could be caused by the circulation of heavy vehicles. For example, the breakage of water pipes, directly or by being pulled out of the ground, can give rise to sinkholes, landslides and collapses. Gas pipes can produce explosions and toxic fumes. Buried electrical installations are at risk of direct contact due to perforation of the insulation and through the tool we use to dig, etc.

If there are adjoining buildings, it will be necessary to study the shoring operations necessary to avoid settlements and subsidence of the adjoining foundations and the party walls, as the load-bearing capacity of the party foundation is reduced as a result of the excavation.

[2]  Risk control measures during excavation work

The excavation should be open for as short a time as possible, to avoid the dangers of landslides, flooding and weathering of the ground, as well as possible alterations that may occur due to atmospheric agents.

● Inside the excavation - Workers must maintain a safe distance from each other to avoid hitting each other with their tools. If a sudden change in the characteristics of the ground is noticed while excavating or any other adverse circumstance appears, work must not continue until specialized personnel indicate the measures to be adopted. If combustion engines are used, appropriate ventilation measures must be taken. Tools or electrical extensions not approved for this purpose must not be used if there is water inside the excavation.

●  Use of machinery - Plan and mark out areas for machinery circulation and unloading of materials, install a separate entrance to the site for machinery and personnel, and always use a signalman during loading, unloading or maneuvering operations where the driver does not have full visibility, leave sufficient separation between machinery and personnel work and do not perform machinery work at the same time as manual work.

● Worker protection - Workers must wear a high visibility reflective vest, a hard hat and safety boots. To avoid falling into trenches, use a safety harness when necessary. When using compressors, workers must wear leather gloves and gaiters, hearing protection and anti-impact safety glasses. In all cases, appropriate work clothing must be worn.

[3] Reviews and controls

The supervisor in charge of the excavation must carry out a daily inspection of the top edge of an excavation when it is not supported by shoring, to warn of the possible appearance of cracks that may indicate a possible failure of the ground.

Excavations and shoring must be inspected after a storm, earthquake or another event that endangers the work, and protections and defences must be increased if necessary. After a prolonged period of work stoppage, specialized personnel must inspect the excavations and shoring before resuming work. It is also advisable to periodically carry out inspections and follow-ups of the parameters of the excavations, humidity, landslides and edges, inspections that must be duly documented and filed.

Now you have a basic idea about how to take necessary care while doing excavation on site. Therefore, if you are looking for the best excavation team as well as Demolition Services in Kew for your upcoming project, get in touch with Demolition and excavation. Our team will happily clean up the work site after the work completion and even responsibly dispose of all hazardous components. For more information, call us!