Construction & Contractors Blog
Digging and removal of soil/earth from construction sites with excavation equipment is a dangerous job. The professionals that specialise in doing excavation jobs in the construction industry are called excavation contractors, while the businesses are known as excavation companies. There are many different safety hazards that excavation contractors face when they are carrying out excavation work. Here is a look at some of those hazards.
Falls into trenches
One of the most common safety hazards associated with excavation jobs is accidental falls into trenches caused by slippery conditions. If safeguards are not put in place to prevent these accidents, workers may sustain serious injuries or even die, depending on the depth of the trenches, how they hit the ground and what materials they fall on. To prevent slips and falls into trenches, excavation contractors usually cordon off trenches with barriers robust enough to remain intact in case someone falls against them. The travel lanes will also need to be free of obstructions that may cause people and vehicles to fall into trenches. In addition to that, only authorised personnel are allowed around the job site.
Falling debris
As excavation equipment is being used to move excavated material to a different location, the debris can fall on people standing directly below. This can happen if the equipment acts up when being used or if there is poor coordination of work by employees. To minimise the risk of harm to employees due to falling debris, excavation contractors usually provide employees with personal protective equipment such as hard helmets to minimise the severity of head injuries in the event that debris falls on them. Aside from that, equipment may be checked at regular intervals while work is ongoing to help ensure it remains in good working condition. In addition, workers may be provided with communication devices such as two-way radios to facilitate effective work communication.
Electric hazards
Excavations performed in sites with underground electricity cables can pose a major electrical hazard if excavation workers are not informed about the presence and location of the cables beforehand. To minimise the risk of electrocution and other electrical accidents, excavation specialists usually take time to assess the risks. For example, they can check with the local electricity company to find out if electrical cables are running below the ground, and where they are located in case they are present.
To cushion against these and other safety risks associated with excavation jobs, it is best to hire an excavation specialist.
Share22 August 2017
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