TOPIC 5: Excavation Safety Flashcards
THE FATALITY RATE FOR EXCAVATION WORK IS ____ THAN THE RATE FOR GENERAL CONSTRUCTION.
112% HIGHER
OSHA Reports ____ in 2022 Than Double 2021 Toll - More
39 Trench Deaths
Eliminate hazards and control risks by implementing precautions in excavations and trenches with:
- Pre-planning
- Protective systems
- Safety measures
- Inspections
*IS ANY MAN-MADE CUT, CAVITY OR DEPRESSION IN AN EARTH SURFACE THAT IS FORMED BY EARTH REMOVAL
EXCAVATION
*IS A NARROW EXCAVATION WHERE THE DEPTH OF A TRENCH IS GREATER THAN ITS WIDTH AND THE WIDTH MEASURED AT THE BOTTOM IS NOT GREATER THAN ____
TRENCH EXCAVATION; 15 FT.
HAZARDS OF EXCAVATION WORKS
*SOIL COLLAPSE
*FALLING OBJECTS *UNDERGROUND UTILITIES *WORKING SURFACES
*CONFINED SPACE CONDITIONS
Types of Soil Collapse
- Sliding
- Bulge
- Toppling
- Boiling
- Heave
PRINCIPAL CAUSES OF SOIL COLLAPSE
- STEEP CUTTING ANGLE
- SUPER IMPOSED LOAD
- SHOCK AND VIBRATION
- WATER PRESSURE
- DRYING
IS A MIXTURE OF ROCK, WATER, AIR AND A VARIETY OF OTHER SUBSTANCES
- A SOIL
- SOIL IS MADE UP OF ROCK IN THE FORM OF SMALL PARTICLES AND SPACES CALLED ____. NORMALLY SOME PART OF THESE ARE FILLED WITH WATER
VOIDS
Description: Natural solid mineral matters
Examples: Rock, hilly terrain
Subtle rock
Description: Cohesive soil with unconfined compressive strength of 1.5 tons per square foot or greater
Examples: Clay, silt, sandy clay
Type A
Description: Cohesive soil with strength greater than 0.5 tsf but less than 1.5 tsf
Examples: Angular gravel (similar to crushed rock)
Type B
Description: Cohesive soil strength 0.5 tsf or less
Examples: Granular soil such as grave, sand and loamy sand
Type C
MECHANICS OF A CAVE-IN:
trench collapses, or cave-ins, pose the greatest risk to workers’ lives. when done safely, trenching operations can reduce worker exposure to other potential hazards including falls, falling loads, hazardous atmospheres, and incidents involving mobile equipment.
*TRENCHING AND EXCAVATION SAFETY
TRENCH SAFETY MEASURES
trenches ______ require a protective system unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock. if less than 5 feet deep, a competent person may determine that a protective system is not required.
5 feet (1.5 meters) deep or greater
TRENCH SAFETY MEASURES
trenches ____ require that the system be designed by a protective registered professional engineer or be based on tabulated data prepared and/or approved by a registered professional engineer in accordance with _____.
20 feet (6.1 meters) deep or greater; 1926.652(b) and (c)
osha standards require, before any worker entry, that employers have a _____ inspect trenches daily and as conditions change to ensure the elimination of excavation hazards.
*COMPETENT PERSON
is an individual who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards or working conditions that are hazardous, unsanitary, or dangerous to workers, soil types, and protective systems required, and who is authorized to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate these hazards and conditions.
COMPETENT PERSON
ACCESS AND EGRESS:
* keep heavy equipment away from ____.
trench edges
ACCESS AND EGRESS:
* identify other sources that might affect ___
trench stability.
ACCESS AND EGRESS
* keep ____ and other materials at least ____ from trench edges.
excavated soil (spoils); 2 feet (0.6 meters)
ACCESS AND EGRESS:
* know where ____are located before digging.
underground utilities
ACCESS AND EGRESS:
* test for atmospheric hazards such as low oxygen, hazardous fumes and toxic gases when ____ inspect trenches at the start of each shift.
> 4 feet deep.
ACCESS AND EGRESS:
* inspect trenches following a _____
rainstorm or other water intrusion.
ACCESS AND EGRESS:
* do not work under ____
suspended or raised loads and materials.
ACCESS AND EGRESS:
* inspect ____ after any occurrence that could have changed conditions in the trench.
trenches
ACCESS AND EGRESS:
* ensure that personnel wear _____ when exposed to vehicular traffic.
high visibility or other suitable clothing