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The fatality rate for excavating is 112% higher than general construction. Trenching is a dangerous job, but you can protect yourself and your team from injury with the right precautions. This trenching safety checklist will guide you through common hazards and the trench and shoring safety tips you need to avoid them.
If you’re taking on a trenching project at your next work site, be aware of these common hazards:
Anticipate the risks before they become hazards and be proactive with these trench safety tips:
The site manager should implement the following trenching techniques based on the type of soil you’re working in, the trench’s dimensions and other site-specific factors:
Never work in a trench without supporting the sides with a trench box, through shoring, or by using a combination of sloping and benching methods.
Every work site is different — account for environmental and atmospheric conditions, soil type, trench dimensions, and the type of work you’re doing as you create site-specific safety guidelines for your team. The following rules should be safety standards across all trench settings:
Trenches must be inspected before work begins each day to check for hazardous fumes, oxygen levels, water accumulation, and environmental changes. The inspector should be a “competent person” which the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines as an individual with the correct training and experience to identify existing and predictable hazards and authorized by the employer to eliminate them. They are also responsible for classifying the soil, inspecting all trench barrier systems, designing structural ramps, and other site-specific responsibilities.
The inspector should reinspect trenches after environmental changes and natural events, like nearby blasting work or heavy rain.
Soil type and quality are some of the most significant factors to consider when designing a trench. Four types of soil you might encounter include:
Always conduct utility line tests before trenching. Be sure to mark gas, electrical, water, and other lines with correct signage and barriers before operating any equipment. Failure to do so could result in injury and costly damage or fees. A competent person should conduct atmospheric testing in all trenches 4 feet or deeper to ensure proper oxygen levels. Sites should have emergency rescue equipment available at all times.
One of the most critical trench box safety tips to remember is that these barriers are in place to protect workers in the event of a cave-in and cannot always prevent the cave-in itself. Proper barrier placement should include shoring and worker barriers with enough force to be greater than the force coming from the trench walls. Avoid using trench boxes for greater depths than the manufacturer has rated them for and never work inside a damaged barrier.
Reliable equipment will help your team get the job done quickly and safely. Operating and maintaining reliable excavation equipment includes:
Excavation sites are any handmade cuts or depressions into the earth’s surface accomplished by removing and reshaping the dirt. Trenching is a specific type of narrow excavation work that takes place beneath ground level. Trench depths should always be greater than their width, with the width measuring no more than 15 feet at the trench’s bottom.
Blanchard Machinery Company is your one-stop destination to rent state-of-the-art machines and reliable trench and shoring equipment with statewide service coverage and comprehensive customer service agreements to fit your needs. Find a location near you or request a free rental quote online to learn more for your upcoming project. Feel free to give us a call at 844-252-6242 with any questions or for help picking the right equipment for your team.