Excavation Site Conditions
There are a few things to look at when assessing the condition/s of your proposed excavation site:
Presence of underground utilities - In most potential construction sites, there is always the possibility of underground pipelines or cable networks present. As the contractor or project manager, you should pinpoint their location first. If there is, it is important to decide what digging methods to use, but in this case, it is best to consider non-destructive digging methods. The use of mechanical earthmoving equipment is recommended only when underground utilities are not present.
Location - Is the proposed site located near neighbourhoods? Then you should secure the site properly to keep people and stray animals at bay. Is the site located near schools or hospitals? Then you and your men should work to decrease the level of noise. Plan the work flow as not to interrupt the normal activities of the area.
Workers suitable to work under the existing conditions - You cannot endanger the lives of your crew to work in an environment which they have never been accustomed to. Many of them might not have experience working in similar environment. Ensure you have the adequate workforce who can handle the challenges of the area aside from giving them the necessary safety equipment.
Work permits or licenses - Make sure you have all the necessary permits and licenses to work in your construction or excavation area.
Prevention of Occupational Hazards
Construction workers may make up a small percentage of our country's labour force but they account to a significant percentage of occupational hazards, reason why most of the occupation safety and workplace hazards reduction programs are geared towards the industry. Every year, many construction workers are killed or injured in situations that occur due to improper work practices and damages to underground utilities.
Underground utilities like water and gas pipes and electricity and telecommunication cables are dangerous. Always try to locate their presence before starting any construction or excavation task or else suffer to sustain fatal injuries from fire, explosion and electrocution or cause flooding, water pollution and land contamination.
Occupational risks do not only occur due to the damages done to underground utilities but also from improper work practices inside the site. Many improper work practices can put you and your workers at risk from:
Excavation or trench collapses which bury or injure workers working in them
Material or equipment falling from the edges into any e excavation or trench
Workers falling into unsecured excavations or trenches
As to prevent such from happening, what is there to be done?
Plan the precautions to be taken when disaster strikes. Make sure safety equipment are available and evacuation plans are implemented on site before construction or excavation commences.
Install strong support systems for trenches and excavations. Make sure support systems suit the various level of trenching or excavation work.
Pile excavated matter a few metres away from excavations.
Operate equipment and tools a few distances away from the excavations.
Install barriers around the excavations.
Hazards at construction and excavation sites can be prevented if the site is accurately assessed, the proper work procedures are in place and the right digging methods are used, whether conventional or non-destructive digging methods.
