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The Purposes of Excavation: Observing Safety
at Excavation Sites
Have you already been to an excavation site? If you have been to, youcould 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 earthmovingvehicles at the site? Excavation has been part of many building and
construction processes and it is also used in a number of applications.
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Excavation in Various Industries and Applications
Usually, excavation plays a huge role in
archaeological functions. Archaeologists seethe need to excavate sites in certain
locations across the world to obtain oldartefacts of past cultures and civilisations
and fossils of prehistoric or extinctcreatures. To make discoveries and to
support existing historical studies, they needto dig up soil and excavate certain areas of alocality.
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Outside of archaeology, excavation is an early stage in building and construction.
Contractors and builders cannot build sky-rising building and public structureswithout excavating the ground first and building the foundations and concrete
footings at the excavated area. Buildings and public structures like roads andbridges 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 downthe foundations or any other materials in the excavated area and backfill (refill) it.
Excavation in Various Industries and Applications
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In environmental remediation, removal
workers excavate contaminated soil andleaking underground storage tanks. In
installation works, workmen need to dig up theground to lay down pipes and plumbing
systems and cables.
Excavation in Various Industries and Applications
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The industries that usually engaged in excavations
are:General building contractors
Public infrastructure worksBridge and tunnel construction
Water, sewer and pipeline constructionCommunication and power line installations
Concrete work and well and oil drilling contractors
Excavation in Various Industries and Applications
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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 occupationalsafety. Most accidents at the sites occur due to:
Inadequate planningNegligence by workers in their tasks
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Failure to recognise potential hazards
Lack of formal excavation plan, safe access and egress to the sites andemergency rescue equipment plan
Unsafe or improper placement of spoil pileOperating earthmoving vehicles too close to the edge of trenches
Improper shoringLack of barrier guards, caution signs, guard rails or flashing lights to
protect the site.
Safety at Excavated Sites
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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 sitesFalls
Struck-by accidentsExplosions or fire from oil leaks or spills
Suffocation
ElectrocutionDrowning
Safety at Excavated Sites
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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 thesite. The management should present information regarding ground
and soil conditions, underground water courses and plans forexcavation works to government authorities. They should address key
issues on safety before starting work. Inspectors should surveyexcavation sites regularly to see work is progressing smooth and safe.
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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 necessaryprecaution when handling hazardous materials like live wires, vintage bombs
and oil from leaking underground storage tanks. An excavation site is a dangerzone, so employers, contractors and workmen should be careful, alert and
aware at all times.
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