KEeping workers who are safe during the trench and excavation is a challenge for many security specialists. The work carries numerous risks, especially together.
Graben-related deaths have led OSHA main areas at federal and state levels as well as other public relations, including an annual stand-down company organized by the National Utility Contractors Association.
“Every contractor should know that ditch can be dangerous,” said Perry Tamarra, Compliance Manager from Region 2 in the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. “There are things that you should really take into account before you go forward.”
Know the dirt on dirt
Osha warns that ditchsticks are rarely able to survive because a Kubikhof floor can weigh up to £ 3,000. This is “about the same as a Volkswagen,” said Ed Denele, director of security at Nuca. “I don't care how hard you are. You don't move. You won't get out.”
Tamarra emphasizes that the fatal injury connected to collapse is suffocated – not physical, physical damage. “The air is pushed straight out of them and their lungs cannot inhale due to the great pressure.”
CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training says that employees are in danger if trench walls are not protected and if a ditch:
- Was not inspected by a competent person.
- Has no safe way for the employees to enter or end.
- Has standing water or a dangerous atmosphere.
- Has devices or materials near the edge.
Understand the regulations
The standard trench and excavation standard (1926, sub -section P) requires protection systems such as aversion, bank evening, collection and shielding for trenches that are 5 feet or deeper, unless the excavation occurs in stable rock.
Sloping: Cut the trench wall at an angle removed from the excavation.
Bank: Formation of one or a number of horizontal levels or steps into the sides of an excavation, usually with vertical or almost vertical surfaces between the level.
INSURANCE: Installation of aluminum hydraulics or other types of supports to prevent soil movements and caves.
Shielding: Use of grave boxes or other supports to prevent cave connections.
For excavations that are flatter than 5 feet, a protection system is required if a “competent person” finds a potential for a cave. (The OSHA defines a competent person as “one who is able to identify existing and predictable dangers in the area or in the working conditions that are unsanitary, dangerous or dangerous for employees and have the approval in order to take immediate correction measures to remove them.”)
Since other protective systems are moved additional dirt, Tamarra notes that “the trench box is the best option for time and easy production of a trench.”
Have a plan
Never underestimate the importance of the prerequisite for trench work.
“Regardless of how many positions that an employer has done in the past, apply to every new job with care and preparation, how many digging, up and outer fillings have done,” says Osha. “Many incidents in the workplace result from the insufficient first planning.”
To consider factors:
- Proximity and physical condition near structures
- Overhead and underground for supply lines
- Soil classification (detailed in Appendix A from 1926, sub -section P)
- Quantity of horing or protection systems that may be necessary
- Fall protection needs
Additional OSHA requirements can affect planning, especially if several supply companies have to access a ditch. Osha demands that a safe entry or exit method, such as: B. a ladder, no more than 25 feet from the workers to get excavations that are 4 feet or deeper.
“Several people in a certain ditch are at the same time his own danger,” said Mike Kassman, director of Osha and Disaster Response Training at CPWR. “Think of safe access and exit. There could be a ladder, but is this one ladder enough to accept the number of people you have in the ditch, or do you need others?
“A good practice is that one craft down there after another. Everyone wants to get in and get out of there. It depends on the coordination so that they do not work on top of each other or create a danger to another craft.”
Take into account
According to its standard for specific excavation requirements, Osha demands with a high visibility of clothing for employees who are exposed to “public vehicle transport”.
In Denele's experience, traffic is more than dangers.
“If you dig a trench next to a street, all these vehicles drive all day by creating vibrations,” he said. “And this vibration will weaken this soil, and finally it will give in. That is why they need grave boxes or they take it back.”
Another danger: carbon monoxide.
“The cars that drive through the carbon monoxide,” said Denele. “Well, advise you, that will go to the lowest point that could be ditch.”
Avoid self -satisfaction
Some security experts are so familiar with the regulations under 1926 that they may think: “I have that.”
Denele warns of this attitude, which can lead to complacency.
He remembers a recently carried out training session in which a participant who worked as a plumber survived a part of a trench. The participant said he worked just like him in countless other cases.
“You think:” Oh, I'll only come in there for a second “or” Hey, I did it a hundred times; It won't happen to me, “said Denele.” But it only takes a second for something bad to happen. “
He encourages the workers to be loud when they see someone who works uncertainly or is preparing to enter an unprotected trench.
“Speak. We all have to be careful. This is the easiest thing to do, but it is also the most difficult. Tell someone:” Hey, that's not right “or” Hey, that's not safe “is hard, especially if you want to look at your colleagues, who are at the same level and don't want to be afraid.
“So when I talk to my training courses, I emphasize that it is now much easier to say something than say something about a funeral because they have not spoken.”
Use consulting services
In May the Osha was on site on the 50th anniversary of its free and confidential consulting program. The resource is intended to help small and medium-sized employers “identify dangers in the workplace, to comply with OSHA standards and to establish and improve security and health programs”.
Although the program operates separately and does not lead to punishments or quotations, experts are often not used, partly because some employers do not know that it is available or that they only associated OSHA with the enforcement.
Washington L&I has a similar program for employers in the state.
“I encourage contractors to use the Washington L&I advisory program,” said Tamarra. “Our professionally trained consultants come to your construction site or talk to you for free. You will go through the rules, offer options for the right equipment to use such things. You will point out what needs to be repaired, but you will not deny you.
Denele added: “There are many resources. There are many free resources for small companies. You just have to pick up the phone and call someone or send an email.”