The Purposes of Excavation: Observing Safety at Excavation Sites

Have you already been to an excavation site? If you have been to, you could have observed how dangerous it is to loiter there. Have you seen the workers wearing hard hats, boots, gloves and other protective gear when they work? What about the heavy equipment and earthmoving vehicles at the site? Excavation has been part of many building and construction processes and it is also used in a number of applications.

Excavation in Various Industries and Applications

Usually, excavation plays a huge role in archaeological functions. Archaeologists see the need to excavate sites in certain locations across the world to obtain old artefacts of past cultures and civilisations and fossils of prehistoric or extinct creatures. To make discoveries and to support existing historical studies, they need to dig up soil and excavate certain areas of a locality.

Excavation in Various Industries and Applications

Outside of archaeology, excavation is an early stage in building and construction. Contractors and builders cannot build sky-rising building and public structures without excavating the ground first and building the foundations and concrete footings at the excavated area. Buildings and public structures like roads and bridges need to be built on strong ground foundation for support. In such works, the excavating crew dig up a certain area to create a level clean area to work, lay down the foundations or any other materials in the excavated area and backfill (refill) it.

Excavation in Various Industries and Applications

In environmental remediation, removal workers excavate contaminated soil and leaking underground storage tanks. In installation works, workmen need to dig up the ground to lay down pipes and plumbing systems and cables.

Excavation in Various Industries and Applications

The industries that usually engaged in excavations are: General building contractors Public infrastructure works Bridge and tunnel construction Water, sewer and pipeline construction Communication and power line installations Concrete work and well and oil drilling contractors

Safety at Excavated Sites

Excavation is considered one of the most dangerous types of work in the building and construction industry. This is one of the areas in occupational safety. Most accidents at the sites occur due to: Inadequate planning Negligence by workers in their tasks

Safety at Excavated Sites

Failure to recognise potential hazards Lack of formal excavation plan, safe access and egress to the sites and emergency rescue equipment plan Unsafe or improper placement of spoil pile Operating earthmoving vehicles too close to the edge of trenches Improper shoring Lack of barrier guards, caution signs, guard rails or flashing lights to protect the site.

Safety at Excavated Sites

Accidents at excavated areas can take place quickly. Some of the hazards that can take place include: Cave-in or collapse of piece of ground or wall structures Materials or equipment falling into the excavation sites Falls Struck-by accidents Explosions or fire from oil leaks or spills Suffocation Electrocution Drowning

Upholding Safety at Excavation Sites

To prevent accidents and disasters at the excavated areas, employers and contractors should make sure it is safe for their men to work at the site. The management should present information regarding ground and soil conditions, underground water courses and plans for excavation works to government authorities. They should address key issues on safety before starting work. Inspectors should survey excavation sites regularly to see work is progressing smooth and safe.

Upholding Safety at Excavation Sites

The use of equipment and operation of vehicles like bulldozers, excavators and cranes should only be handled by competent and insured workmen. Workmen should wear the necessary protective gears while at site. As much as observing safety at work, workmen should also take necessary precaution when handling hazardous materials like live wires, vintage bombs and oil from leaking underground storage tanks. An excavation site is a danger zone, so employers, contractors and workmen should be careful, alert and aware at all times.