2.1 Workplace hazards and risk control

Question 1

List the general health and welfare provisions as outlined by the ILO R102 Welfare Facilities Recommendations.

Answer 1

An adequate supply of high-quality drinking water.
Suitable and sufficient sanitary conveniences and washing facilities at readily accessible places.
Accommodation for clothing, i.e. a suitable and secure space should be provided to store employees’ own clothing and any special clothing that might be needed for their work.
Rest facilities, which should include the provision of seats for workers to use during breaks
Facilities for workers who regularly eat meals at work.
Suitable rest facilities for pregnant women and nursing mothers
Workstations that are suitable for the people using them and the type of work they do.
Adequate lighting to enable people to work and move about safely.
Means of ventilation with sufficient changes of fresh and clean air.
Heating that maintains, so far as is reasonably practicable, a comfortable working temperature

Question 2

What conditions may arise in working in hot environments?

Answer 2

Heat exhaustion, which occurs when the temperature inside the body (i.e. the core
temperature), rises to 37-40°C (98.6-104°F).
Heat stroke occurs when a person’s core temperature rises above 40°C (104°F). Cells
inside the body begin to break down and important parts of the body stop working.
Heat cramps, which are painful, brief muscle cramps that can occur during work in a hot environment

Question 3

What control measures need to be in place when working in hot environments?

Answer 3

Good ventilation may be an appropriate measure to cool the workplace.
• rest facilities away from heat;
• plenty to drink;
• job rotation to reduce the duration of exposure; and
• appropriate PPE, e.g. heat or flame-resistant footwear, gloves and clothing

Question 4

What are the risks of working in cold environments?

Answer 4

In very cold environments such as cold stores, freezers or even just working outside in cold weather, there are well known effects, such as shivering.
• Hypothermia, which occurs when a person’s body temperature drops below 35°C (95°F
• Frostbite, which occurs when the skin and underlying tissue freeze due to exposure to low temperatures
• Drifting in or out of consciousness.
• Cold burns from cold surfaces.
• Accidents that occur because of reduced dexterity.

Question 5

What control measures can be put into place for working in cold environments?

Answer 5

The available control measures will depend upon the nature of the workplace
• insulated floor coverings for people who have to stand for long periods;
• rest facilities away from cold, and plenty of warm drinks;
• job rotation to reduce duration of exposure; and
• appropriate PPE, e.g. insulated footwear, gloves and clothing.

Question 6

Name the occupations where significant risks to violence are known to occur?

Answer 6

• caring professions;
• education;
• cash transactions / handling;
• delivery / collection;
• controlling (i.e. people, crowds); and
• those who represent authority (e.g. police,
emergency services).

Question 7

Name 4 psychological symptoms of violence at work?

Answer 7

• loss of confidence;
• anxiety;
• insomnia; and
• stress.

Question 8

How would an employer go about controlling the risk of violence in the workplace?

Answer 8

Employers must conduct a risk assessment if they believe that their workers may be subject to violence at work.
This can be done by:
• training and information provided to employees;
• communication;
• the work environment; and
• the design of the job.
The training and information provided to employees would include helping them to spot
early signs of aggression and how to cope with, or avoid, it. It is important that employees
know what they are expected to do in a potentially violent situation and therefore employees
fully understand any systems that the employer has set up for their protection. This could include the use of panic alarms, self-defence techniques (where appropriate), the reporting system or other relevant measures.

Question 9

What would be an essential communication process in alleviating concerns of violence at work?

Answer 9

• Liaison with the police. The police can provide advice on personal safety, will have local
knowledge of the area, and related issues. In addition, they may be able to assist with
specific visits or deal with incidents.
• Letting staff know where lone workers are by means of work diaries and information
boards to show the location of lone workers.
• Sharing experiences and concerns both inside the organisation and with other relevant
organisations. This can help in developing early warning or flagging systems, thus
alerting colleagues to potentially violent clients, or problem areas.
• Talking about specific concerns and incidents, since in some cases this can lead to
practical solutions to reduce risk.
• Reporting all incidents, so that the true scale and nature of violence can be evaluated
and thus effective policies can be developed to deal with the problem.
• Disseminating the company policy, guidance, leaflets and posters. All staff should be
made aware of the company policy on work-related violence. In addition, it is important that staff know that they have full senior management support.

Question 10

What control measures for violence at work can be installed in the work environment?

Answer 10

• the provision of comfortable seating, along with calming
décor and lighting in public waiting rooms;
• making sure that members of the public are given regular
and honest information about delays (e.g. sufficient
information signs at railway stations, airports);
• the use of CCTV cameras and/or alarm systems;
• providing and maintaining access control systems to
prevent unauthorised access to staff areas;
• wider counters and raised floors on the staff side of the
counter to give staff more protection; and
• armoured screens.

Question 11

How can the deisgn of the job be altered to help reduce possible violence at work?

Answer 11

• using cheques, credit cards or tokens instead of cash to make robbery less attractive;
• frequent banking of money and variation of the route taken by employees;
• carrying out checks on the credentials of clients;
• having proper arrangements in place for meetings that are conducted away from the
workplace (e.g. lone working estate agents meeting prospective buyers in houses);
• ensuring that staff are accompanied if meeting a suspected aggressor;
• maintaining regular communication with those working away from their base; and
• having clear policies in relation to lone working and maintaining sufficient numbers of
staff at the workplace to avoid such work where the risk of violence exists.

Question 12

What areas of risk to the individual and others are at risk with regards to substance misuse?

Answer 12

• operating plant and machinery;
• working with electricity;
• driving vehicles on public roads or in the workplace, e.g. forklifts; and/or
• operating public transport.

Question 13

What types of policies on alchohol use could employers put in place?

Answer 13

• set out the legal obligations behind the policy and summarise the aims of the policy;
• be clear as to whom the policy applies;
• make clear what will be considered to be alcohol and drug misuse and any specific rules /exceptions, e.g. in relation to prescription medicines or a dependency;
• set out the disciplinary action that will be taken following a breach of the policy or cross refer to the disciplinary policy;
• provide advice as to where help can be obtained and details of any support that the
employer will provide;
• assure staff that any alcohol or drug problem will be treated in strict confidence; and
• encourage employees to come forward and ask for help.

Some employers include alcohol screening as part of their policy
• pre-employment testing for substances;
• random sampling of all or particular sections of the workforce (e.g. safety-critical roles on transport systems such as railways or airlines); or
• ‘with cause’ sampling, e.g. after an incident has occurred where it is necessary to determine if substance misuse was involved.

Question 14

What could be possible signs of drug misuse?

Answer 14

• sudden mood changes, including unusual irritability or aggression;
• a tendency to become confused;
• abnormal fluctuations in concentration and energy;
• impaired job performance;
• poor time-keeping or an increase in short-term sickness absence;
• a deterioration in relationships with colleagues, customers or management; and/or
• dishonesty and theft (arising from the need to maintain an expensive habit).

Question 15

Name some common hazards in the workplace?

Answer 15

• slips, trips and falls on the same level, e.g. obstructions, wet floors, poor housekeeping;
• falls from height, e.g. from unprotected edges, working from ladders during
maintenance work;
• collisions with moving vehicles, e.g. poor design of the workplace, lack of safe systems for operating vehicles;
• being struck by moving, falling, or flying objects, e.g. lack of toe-boards on scaffolds, inadequate guards on machines, no safe systems of work for using machinery; and/or
• striking fixed or stationary objects, e.g. poor lighting, low beams, unmarked
obstructions.

Question 16

List the control measures for workplace hazards.

Answer 16

Lighting
Workplaces need to have adequate lighting so that people move about and work safely
Cleanliness and waste materials
Employers should ensure:
• the workplace and its furniture, furnishings and fittings are kept clean;
• it is possible to keep the surfaces of floors, walls and ceilings clean;
and
• cleaning and the removal of waste is carried out as necessary and waste is stored in suitable receptacles.
Maintenance
Employers should ensure:
• the workplace and equipment are maintained in efficient working order
• where mechanical ventilation systems are installed, these are properly maintained; and
• that buildings themselves are kept in good condition and fit for their normal work
processes.
Housekeeping
Slips and trips are major problems for retail outlets, for both customers and employees
Floors and traffic routes
• Pedestrians and vehicles should be segregated, e.g. by designated walkways, barriers, crossing points, bridges or subways.
• Appropriate route markings and signs (e.g. speed limits) should be provided so that both drivers and pedestrians know where to go and the site rules that apply.
• Traffic routes should be planned so that drivers do not need to reverse. This can be done by using one-way systems and drive-through loading areas.
• Horizontal swinging barriers used as car park gates should be secured so that they do not swing open into traffic.
• Loading bays should have at least one exit point from the lower level, or a refuge should be provided to avoid people being crushed by vehicles.
• Where a load is tipped into a pit and a vehicle is liable to fall into it, barriers or portable wheel stops should be provided.
• Floors and traffic routes should be maintained in good condition (e.g. no potholes) and strong enough for their loads. They should be free of obstructions.
• A handrail should be provided on at least one side of every staircase, or both sides if
necessary, as well as additional central handrails on wide staircases. Open sides of
staircases should be fenced with both an upper and lower rail.
• Access between floors should not be achieved by means of ladders or steep stairs.
Falls into dangerous substances
Employers should also ensure that dangerous substances in tanks
Transparent or translucent doors, gates or walls and windows
If there is a foreseeable risk of people being injured through coming into
contact with glazing, windows, transparent or translucent surfaces
Windows
These should be capable of being opened, closed or adjusted safely
Doors and gates
• Doors / gates must be suitably constructed and fitted with safety devices
• Power-operated doors / gates should have safety features to prevent people being struck or trapped
• Upward-opening doors / gates (e.g. roller shutter, up and over garage doors) should
have fall back prevention devices fitted.
Escalators and moving walkways
Employers need to ensure that escalators and moving walkways function safely, have necessary safety devices

Question 17

What are the main causes of workplace deaths in construction?

Answer 17

• falling through fragile roofs and roof lights;
• falling from ladders, scaffolds and other workplaces;
• being struck by excavators, lift trucks or dumpers;
• overturning vehicles; and
• being crushed by collapsing structures.
According to the ILO:
• one in six fatal work accidents occurs on a construction site;
• in industrialised countries as many as 25-40% of work-related deaths occur on
construction sites, even though the sector only employs 6-10% of the workforce; and
• in some countries, up to 30% of construction workers suffer from back pain or other musculoskeletal disorder.

Question 18

What does the ILO’s Code of Practice Safety and Health in construction outline? See p17 for more examples:)

Answer 18

• Precautions against the fall of materials and persons, and collapse of structures – see p.22.
• Work at height – see p.21.
• Fire and firefighting – see Module 18.
• Lighting – where natural lighting is not adequate to ensure safe working conditions, adequate and suitable lighting, including portable lighting where appropriate,
• Scaffolds and ladders:
– Ladders should not be used without proper justification.
– Where ladders are used they must be used correctly.
– Towers need to be capable of being erected safely.
– Towers need to be erected by properly trained operatives. See p.26.
• Lifting operations:
– Must be properly planned by a competent person.
– Must be appropriately supervised.
– Must be carried out in a safe manner.
– Lifting equipment that is designed for lifting people should be appropriately and
clearly marked.
– Lifting equipment not designed for lifting people but which might be used in error
should be clearly marked to show it is not for lifting people.
– Machinery and accessories for lifting loads shall be clearly marked to indicate their safe working loads (SWL).
• Plant, machinery, equipment and tools.
• Roof work:
– No work should be carried out on a fragile roof unless a safe system of work is in place and understood by those carrying out the work.
– It is essential that only trained competent persons are allowed to work on roofs.
– Footwear with a good grip should be worn.
– It is good practice to ensure that a person does not work alone on a roof.

Question 19

What does the ILO Code of Practice for Safety and Health recommend for general duties in construction?

Answer 19

• Those concerned with the design and planning of a construction project should
receive training in safety and health and should integrate the safety and health of the
construction workers into the design and planning process in accordance with national laws, regulations and practice.
• Care should be exercised by engineers, architects and other professional persons, not to include anything in the design which would necessitate the use of dangerous structural or other procedures or materials hazardous to health or safety which could be avoided by design modifications or by substitute materials.
• Those designing buildings, structures or other construction projects should take into
account the safety problems associated with subsequent maintenance and upkeep
where maintenance and upkeep would involve special hazards.
• Facilities should be included in the design for such work to be performed with the minimum risk.

Question 20

What should be included in the written plan for higher risk activities in construction?

Answer 20

• Structural alterations;
• Deep excavations, and those in unstable or contaminated ground;
• Unusual working methods or safeguards;
• Ionising radiation or other significant health hazards;
• Nearby high voltage power lines;
• A risk of falling into water which is, or may become, fast flowing;
• Diving;
• Explosives; and/or
• Heavy or complex lifting operations.

Question 21

Define ‘working at height’?

Answer 21

‘Work at a height at ground level, above or below ground level
… from which a fall could cause injury’.

These could be:
• roof tiling or repairs;
• cleaning windows, gutters or fascias;
• plant and equipment maintenance;
• entering or exiting sewers or excavations; and/or
• demolition activities.

Question 22

What must employers ensure when working at height?

Answer 22

• properly planned and organised and takes account of weather conditions that could endanger health and safety
• carried out by people who are trained and competent, not only for the type of work, but also in working at height and use of access equipment.
• the place where the work at height is done is safe. This may be achieved by means of permanent or temporary edge protection.
• equipment for work at height is appropriately inspected, e.g. ladders, scaffolding, and mobile elevating work platforms are subject to regular user checks as well as planned
formal inspection.
• the risks from fragile roof surfaces are properly controlled, e.g. through the use of
proper signage, guard rails, crawling boards.
• the risks from falling objects are properly controlled,
e.g. by means of toe boards, netting, tool belts, tying tools to persons with string.

Question 23

How could you reduce the risks of falls?

Answer 23

Common
approaches involve the use of safety harnesses, airbags, safety netting or crash decking. In all cases, workers will have to be competent and trained in the use of the particular system
As always, fall restraining systems should be preferred over fall arrest systems, i.e. to prevent the fall in the first place.

Question 24

Name some general principles that should be taken into consideration when using ladders?

Answer 24

• Always checking the condition before use to make sure that rungs and stiles (sides) are undamaged.
• Securing the ladder (by tying it at the top, or to the wall with a ladder restraint system).
• Choosing ladders of the correct quality for the task (e.g. Class 1
Industrial ladders would be required in most work situations).
• Ensuring that they are positioned so that there is no need to stretch or overreach (e.g. leaning out to drill).
• Maintaining at least three points of bodily contact with the ladder.
• Metal ladders should not be used near unprotected live electrical circuits such as power lines.
• The angle of the ladder should be 75° to the horizontal or at a ratio of 1:4 distance away fromthe wall to height.
• Any ladder or stepladder needs to be set up on a sound and level base so that the feet do not sink into the ground.
• The top of the ladder needs to rest against a solid support (e.g. not resting on guttering or fragile roof edges).
• When using access ladders (e.g. if stepping on to a flat roof) the ladder should extend above to at least one metre above the roof.

Question 25

Name 2 types of scaffolding?

Answer 25

Independent tied scaffolding

Mobile tower scaffolding

Question 26

Discuss the features of independent tied scaffolding.

Answer 26

This type of scaffolding is extremely common in construction work when there is a requirement for a sturdy platform for work at height to be in place for a period of time.
Forms an independent structure in that it does not depend on the adjacent building
for its strength or integrity. It does, however, need to be secured to the building so that it does not move or fall over

The process of building a scaffold
is known as ‘erection,’ whilst dismantling a scaffold is known as ‘striking’. Erection of a
scaffolding is usually done in stages known as ‘lifts,
The process of building a scaffold is known as ‘erection,’ whilst dismantling a scaffold is known as ‘striking’. Erection of a
scaffolding is usually done in stages known as ‘lifts.

Safety issues might arise as a result of:
• poor design or erection of scaffolding construction in the first place as a result of a lack of competence of those concerned;
• overloading of the structure or poor distribution of loads;
• removal of components such as scaffold boards, guardrails, bracing, ties or toe-boards;
• poor ground conditions or excavations nearby that undermine the base of the scaffold;
• failure to adequately tie them to structures resulting in movement in adverse weather or removal of ties by unauthorised persons; and/or
• vehicles colliding with them

Fixed scaffolding should be inspected by a competent person before it is used for the first time. Thereafter it must be inspected at weekly intervals and whenever any event occurs that could have affected its strength and integrity.
It is usual for scaffolding to be labelled to show a valid inspection date, often by means of a proprietary system such
as ‘Scafftag’.

Question 27

What should be included in the written plan for higher risk activities in construction?

Answer 27

• Structural alterations;
• Deep excavations, and those in unstable or contaminated ground;
• Unusual working methods or safeguards;
• Ionising radiation or other significant health hazards;
• Nearby high voltage power lines;
• A risk of falling into water which is, or may become, fast flowing;
• Diving;
• Explosives; and/or
• Heavy or complex lifting operations.

Question 28

Define ‘working at height’?

Answer 28

‘Work at a height at ground level, above or below ground level
… from which a fall could cause injury’.

These could be:
• roof tiling or repairs;
• cleaning windows, gutters or fascias;
• plant and equipment maintenance;
• entering or exiting sewers or excavations; and/or
• demolition activities.

Question 29

What must employers ensure when working at height?

Answer 29

• properly planned and organised and takes account of weather conditions that could endanger health and safety
• carried out by people who are trained and competent, not only for the type of work, but also in working at height and use of access equipment.
• the place where the work at height is done is safe. This may be achieved by means of permanent or temporary edge protection.
• equipment for work at height is appropriately inspected, e.g. ladders, scaffolding, and mobile elevating work platforms are subject to regular user checks as well as planned
formal inspection.
• the risks from fragile roof surfaces are properly controlled, e.g. through the use of
proper signage, guard rails, crawling boards.
• the risks from falling objects are properly controlled,
e.g. by means of toe boards, netting, tool belts, tying tools to persons with string.

Question 30

How could you reduce the risks of falls?

Answer 30

Common
approaches involve the use of safety harnesses, airbags, safety netting or crash decking. In all cases, workers will have to be competent and trained in the use of the particular system
As always, fall restraining systems should be preferred over fall arrest systems, i.e. to prevent the fall in the first place.

Question 31

Name some general principles that should be taken into consideration when using ladders?

Answer 31

• Always checking the condition before use to make sure that rungs and stiles (sides) are undamaged.
• Securing the ladder (by tying it at the top, or to the wall with a ladder restraint system).
• Choosing ladders of the correct quality for the task (e.g. Class 1
Industrial ladders would be required in most work situations).
• Ensuring that they are positioned so that there is no need to stretch or overreach (e.g. leaning out to drill).
• Maintaining at least three points of bodily contact with the ladder.
• Metal ladders should not be used near unprotected live electrical circuits such as power lines.
• The angle of the ladder should be 75° to the horizontal or at a ratio of 1:4 distance away fromthe wall to height.
• Any ladder or stepladder needs to be set up on a sound and level base so that the feet do not sink into the ground.
• The top of the ladder needs to rest against a solid support (e.g. not resting on guttering or fragile roof edges).
• When using access ladders (e.g. if stepping on to a flat roof) the ladder should extend above to at least one metre above the roof.

Question 32

Name 2 types of scaffolding?

Answer 32

Independent tied scaffolding

Mobile tower scaffolding

Question 33

Discuss the features of independent tied scaffolding.

Answer 33

This type of scaffolding is extremely common in construction work when there is a requirement for a sturdy platform for work at height to be in place for a period of time.
Forms an independent structure in that it does not depend on the adjacent building
for its strength or integrity. It does, however, need to be secured to the building so that it does not move or fall over

The process of building a scaffold
is known as ‘erection,’ whilst dismantling a scaffold is known as ‘striking’. Erection of a
scaffolding is usually done in stages known as ‘lifts,
The process of building a scaffold is known as ‘erection,’ whilst dismantling a scaffold is known as ‘striking’. Erection of a
scaffolding is usually done in stages known as ‘lifts.

Safety issues might arise as a result of:
• poor design or erection of scaffolding construction in the first place as a result of a lack of competence of those concerned;
• overloading of the structure or poor distribution of loads;
• removal of components such as scaffold boards, guardrails, bracing, ties or toe-boards;
• poor ground conditions or excavations nearby that undermine the base of the scaffold;
• failure to adequately tie them to structures resulting in movement in adverse weather or removal of ties by unauthorised persons; and/or
• vehicles colliding with them

Fixed scaffolding should be inspected by a competent person before it is used for the first time. Thereafter it must be inspected at weekly intervals and whenever any event occurs that could have affected its strength and integrity.
It is usual for scaffolding to be labelled to show a valid inspection date, often by means of a proprietary system such
as ‘Scafftag’.

Question 34

What is mobile tower scaffolding?

Answer 34

Mobile tower scaffolds are frequently used as they are simple to erect and fairly inexpensive.
Accidents occur such as the scaffold toppling over due to climbing up the outside or windy weather; or collapse as a result of poor construction in the first place. The use of mobile towers needs, therefore, to be properly controlled and they should only be used in appropriate conditions.

Question 35

What are the rules to be followed when using mobile tower scaffolds?

Answer 35

• The height to minimum base width ratio should not exceed 3:1 outdoors and 3.5:1
indoors. Using outriggers can allow greater height to be achieved.
• The ladders should always be fitted internally so that users do not climb up the outside of the scaffold.
• The wheels should face outwards and be locked (i.e. brakes applied).
• They should not be moved with people or materials on them.
• They should not be used near overheard power lines or other obstructions that could
cause injury to users.
• Since they are lightweight, they should be tied to fixed structures where appropriate and possible to do so. Additionally, their use should be avoided in windy weather.
• They should be erected by competent persons and, although not subject to exactly the same requirements as fixed scaffolding, they should still be inspected at regular intervals.

Question 36

What are mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPS)?

Answer 36

These are often used in construction work because of their ability to get to areas that other access equipment cannot. They can be in the form of ‘cherry-pickers,’ scissor lifts, or booms, which can be independent units or mounted on a vehicle.

Question 37

What basics apply to the use of MEWPS?

Answer 37

• They should only be operated by trained and competent persons.
• As with scaffolding, the working platforms, which will be in the form of baskets or cages, should have guard rails and toe-boards.
• Tyres should be properly inflated and outriggers, if fitted, should be fully extended to prevent the machine from toppling over.
• The area should be well lit and cordoned off to prevent persons from entering.
• Harnesses should be worn to prevent workers from climbing out of the cage and thus causing the machine to tip.
• Everybody should know the emergency procedures in the event of equipment failure
(especially if the cradle is still at height).

Question 38

What are trestles and staging platforms?

Answer 38

Trestles and staging platforms are commonly used in the construction industry for relatively low level working at height. Typical tasks where they are used
would include pointing of brickwork and plastering (especially ceilings). They are usually constructed of steel adjustable trestles with planks (scaffold boards)
or sheets of wood spread between to form the working platform (staging).

Question 39

What is the ILO’s requirements for inspection of scaffolds?

Answer 39

• Where work cannot safely be done on or from the ground or from part of a building
or other permanent structure, a safe and suitable scaffold shall be provided and
maintained, or other equally safe and suitable provision shall be made.
• In the absence of alternative safe means of access to elevated working places, suitable and sound ladders shall be provided. They shall be properly secured against inadvertent movement.
• All scaffolds and ladders shall be constructed and used in accordance with national laws and regulations.

In addition, the ILO’s Recommendation 175 – Safety and Health in Construction, adds:
• Every scaffold and part thereof should be of suitable and sound material and of
adequate size and strength for the purpose for which it is used and be maintained in a
proper condition.
• Every scaffold should be properly designed, erected and maintained so as to prevent collapse or accidental displacement when properly used.
• The working platforms, gangways and stairways of scaffolds should be of such
dimensions and so constructed or guarded as to protect persons against falling or being endangered by falling objects.
• No scaffold should be overloaded or otherwise misused.
• A scaffold should not be erected, substantially altered or dismantled except by or under the supervision of a competent person.
• Scaffolds as prescribed by national laws or regulations shall be inspected and the
results recorded, by a competent person:
• before being taken into use;
• at periodic intervals thereafter; and
• after any alteration, interruption in use, exposure to weather or seismic condition or
any other occurrence likely to have affected their strength or stability.

Question 40

Name the hazards associated with excavations?

Answer 40

• striking buried underground services such as gas, electricity or water;
• persons, equipment or vehicles and/or materials falling in;
• collapse of the sides;
• collapse of adjacent structures due to the foundations being undermined;
• flooding, which may occur because of heavy rain or also because the excavation has gone below the water table (aquifer);
• the presence of flammable or toxic gases;
• contamination of the ground from its previous use, e.g. heavy metals such as cadmium or chemicals (e.g. pesticides) that may have accumulated; and/or
• biological hazards, such as leptospirosis or tetanus.

Question 41

Define ‘Battering’.

Answer 41

This is simply the process of piling excavated material (usually
soil) in heaps that resemble pyramids. It is important that material is not piled so steeply or so close to the edges of
excavations that it could fall back in. The angle at which it is piled will be determined by the nature of the soil (i.e. how free
flowing it is), and is known as the angle of repose.

Question 42

Define ‘shoring’.

Answer 42

This is the process of reinforcing the sides of excavations to prevent them collapsing. Shoring systems not only provide
safety for workers in a trench but also speed up the process of excavation. Where there is a risk of workers being crushed it is preferable that shoring is installed before workers need
to enter excavations.
It is also possible to use structures known as trench boxes that can be prefabricated above ground and lowered into the excavation to form a cage around the worker.

Question 43

What other precautions need to be taken to ensure the safety of workers in excavating?

Answer 43

It is also possible to use structures known as trench boxes that can be prefabricated above ground and lowered into the excavation to form a cage around the worker.
Excavations should have appropriate warning signage in prominent positions. Areas should also, so far as is reasonably practicable, be cordoned off to prevent unauthorised access and, where necessary, covers should be placed over all or parts of the excavation when not in use, but especially at night time. It will also be necessary to provide adequate lighting where night work is occurring and when members of public could be nearby during darkness.
Procedures will need to be adopted to ensure the safe movement of vehicles and plant in the vicinity of excavations. Heavy vehicles could damage the edges, thus resulting in a collapse or the vehicles falling in.
Crossing points should be provided (i.e. bridges) that are strong enough for the type of intended traffic, whether pedestrian or vehicle. It is also common practice to position stop-blocks made of concrete some distance from the edge to prevent vehicles accidentally reversing into an open excavation. All workers should be required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment.

Question 44

When should excavations be inspected as per the ILO Code of Practice?

Answer 44

• daily, prior to each shift and after interruption in work of more than one day;
• after every blasting operation;
• after an unexpected fall of ground;
• after substantial damage to supports;
• after heavy rain, frost or snow; and/or
• when boulder formations are encountered

Question 45

What should a person carrying out an inspection of an excavation do?

Answer 45

• complete and provide a written report of the inspection within 24 hours; and
• inform the employer (or other person) about any problems and remedial action required before work is allowed to start and prepare a report accordingly.