Abundo, Virgilio Jr. F.

BSCE III–1
Safety Management

Rule 1413, Safety Practices in Excavation

Excavation, defined by the dictionary, is an activity of which involves

digging out or removing. In the field of construction, excavation is the process
of moving earth, rock or other materials with tools, equipment or
explosives. It includes earthwork, trenching, wall shafts, tunneling and
underground. Excavation is used in construction to create building
foundations, reservoirs and roads.
The idea of safety here is that the level or height of the excavated floor
and the natural ground floor is different. Therefore, hazards such as falling
over, to be hit by an object that falls from the top when somebody is
working below, or the collapse of the excavated wall, oftenly happen in the
site.
A part of the provisions of Occupational Safety and Health Standards
(OSHS), made by the Depeartment of Labor and Employment (DOLE), talks
about the safety plans in order to reduce the hazard that may happen when
performing the activity of excations. Safety provisions are listed below:
Rule 1413: Excavition
Rule 1413.1 Shoring and Timbering
Rule 1413.2 Minimum Berm
Rule 1413.3 Tools, Materials, and Machinery
Rule 1413.4 Barricades
Rule 1413.5 Means of Access and Escape
 Rule 1413.6 Inspection and Examination of Excavation
Rule 1413.7 Supervision of Execution of Shoring and
Timbering of and other Work
Rule 1413.8 Harmful Dust, Gases, and Fumes

Rule 1413.1 : Shoring and Timbering

 The provision suggests that for every 1m or 3ft deep of

excavation, a proper shoring and timbering should be
installed to prevent the collapse of the excavated wall
 Shoring and Timbering is a support system at
which it uses braces, and members such as, wales
and strut to support the excavated wall for it not
to collapse
 However, the provision about these shoring is not absolute.
There are some excavation that does not need any shoring.
Here are some example,
 Excavation that does not need any worker
working on the excavated floor
 The cut is a solid rock
 The walls are sloped to forty-five degree (45)
angle from the vertical or cut to the angle of
repose.
 Angle of Repose is the angle at which a
loose material is at stable state.
 When the excavation if deeper than 6.6m or 20ft the
concern of the safety is not only about the excavation itself
but also the structure in its sorroundings Therefore, proper
steps and studies about the shoring should be taken by the
engineer.
 Loose rocks and materials on the natural surface should be
away from the edge of the excavation in order to prevent
things falling from the top.
 Excavations of soft soil, moreover, should be kept from
water that makes it softer and high risk of collapse.
Rule 1413.2: Minimum Berm

 A Berm is a narrow shelf, path, or ledge typically at the top or

bottom of a slope.
 In relevance with the topic, the idea of minimum berm is to
just set proper distance between the edge of the excavation
and the materials such as the excavated materials.
 The provision suggests that the distance of materials should be
at least 1/3 of the excavated floor, at 1m minimum.
 If the space, however, is limited, proper addition of strength of
the shoring and supports should be done since it adds as a
load on the surface.
 Proper barriers should also be installed. This prevents
excavated material to roll back to the excavation area.

Rule 1413.3 Tools, Materials, and Machinery:

 The idea of this provision is the same as in Minimum Berm

and it is to provide a proper distance between the edge of the
the excavation and the vehicles, machineries, and materials
being operated near the excavation area.
  Same as Berms, the proper dictance of these materials should
be at least 1/3 of the depth of the excavation, at 1m
minimum.

Rule 1413.4 Barricades:

 This provision suggests that for 2m or 6ft deep of excavation,

proper barricades of height at least 1m or 3ft should be
installed, with the purpose for workers not to fall in the
excavation and also as a sign that the area is in excavation.
 Bigger excavation, wherein installation of stairs and pathways
around the site, should install proper railings with the same
purpose for workers not to fall in the excavation and also as a
sign that the area is in excavation.
Rule 1413.5 Means of Access and Escape :

 The provision suggests that for every 1m or 3ft deep, it shall

be provided of means of access or escape in case of flooding or
earthquake. People oftenly uses ladders for this aspect.
 For every 16.6m depth of excavation, there should be at least
1 ladder with over lenght of 0.83m at the top for the firm
holding of the ladder to the edge of the excavated floor.
Rule 1413.6 Inspection and Examination of Excavation:

 Every part of an excavation over 2 m. (6 ft.) deep where

workers work shall be inspected by the person in charge at
least once everyday.
 This means proper monitoring not only the correct erection of
the building but also in implementation of the safety
provisions to prevent hazards.
Rule 1413.7 Supervision and Execution of Timbering and other Work:

 Any works about shoring and timbering, or any supports for

the excavation, should be supervised by the Engineer and the
Project Supervisor since it is designed by them and they study
for it.
 The project supervisor should supervise every materials to be
used. It should be of good construction, sound materials, and
in adequate strength
  The braces and struts should also be at properly secured in
order to prevent displacements that may lead to incorrect
supports and collapse.

1413.08 : Harmful Dust, Gases, Fumes:

• When harmful dusts, gases and fumes are present in an

excavation to such a degree hazardous to the safety and health
of the workers, all measures shall be taken either by exhaust
ventilation or by other means to free the area of such
contaminants.

• Internal combustion engine shall only be operated in an

excavation when provision is made to ensure that the exhaust
gases and fumes are rendered harmless or discharged to a
point away from the excavation.