{"id":5349,"date":"2022-12-08T21:24:23","date_gmt":"2022-12-08T21:24:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mwrentals.com\/?p=5349"},"modified":"2024-06-12T13:47:06","modified_gmt":"2024-06-12T19:47:06","slug":"what-are-the-deadliest-excavation-hazards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mwrentals.com\/what-are-the-deadliest-excavation-hazards\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are The Deadliest Excavation Hazards"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Safety should always come first on the construction site. There are many excavation hazards that you must consider. Excavation is defined as creating any type of hole in the ground and can be perilous. Proper safety precautions and adherence to federal and local regulations for excavator operation and excavation, can prevent many of these hazards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oversights can be devastating in trenching and excavation operations. When excavating for trenching, there are specific safety measures<\/a> that must be followed. There are an average of 40 construction worker deaths every year in the US. In fact, from 2003-2017 there were a total of 373 fatalities involved specifically with trenching. As you can see, it is a very serious concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going underground is extremely dangerous. New trenches can collapse or cave in and if you think you can handle it you could be dead wrong. A cubic yard of dirt can weigh as much as a car. Also, conditions can change at any moment resulting from weather and\/or vibrations from surrounding traffic.
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Image credit CDC at https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/niosh\/topics\/trenching\/default.html<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Specific Excavation Hazards<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to running an excavator, knowing the surrounding related hazards is extremely important. Some hazards to be aware of are: trench collapses, cave-ins, falls, falling loads, hazardous atmospheres, and contact of overhead power lines. You should clearly mark underground utility lines before every single digging operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are multiple issues with trenching and it is best to follow the guideline requirements from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, (OSHA). It is extremely important to complete excavation safety<\/a> training before operating an excavator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Excavation Safety<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When making trenches for protection from cave-ins, you must follow OSHA rules. You must comply with this requirement for any trench more than five feet deep. Every job site must have a competent person, as described by OSHA, to ensure the OSHA requirements are being followed and there is a safe, easy way in or out of the trench. These are appropriate safety precautions for trenches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n