Open HSME menu
Sign Up Login

Home / Articles and Press Releases / Press Release / NEBOSH Knows: Excavation Safety

CATEGORIES

  • Latest Issue
  • Above The Neck Protection
  • Chemical Protection
  • Confined Space
  • Construction
  • Emergency Procedures
  • Energy, Oil, and Mining Industries
  • Eye Protection
  • Fall Protection
  • Gas Detection
  • Hand Protection
  • Hazardous and Explosive Atmospheres
  • Health and Safety Awareness
  • Hearing Protection
  • Heat
  • Lighting and ATEX
  • Noise Monitoring
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Respiratory Protection
  • Safety Footwear
  • Safety Technology
  • Safety Training
  • Slips, Trips, and Falls
  • Wellbeing at work
  • Working at Height
  • Working rights

MORE

  • Press Release
  • Events
  • Videos
  • Webinars
  • Magazines

COMPANY

  • About
  • Sign Up
  • Advertising
  • Contact
Open HSME menu
Subscribe

Home / Articles and Press Releases / Press Release / NEBOSH Knows: Excavation Safety

CATEGORIES

  • Latest Issue
  • Above The Neck Protection
  • Chemical Protection
  • Confined Space
  • Construction
  • Emergency Procedures
  • Energy, Oil, and Mining Industries
  • Eye Protection
  • Fall Protection
  • Gas Detection
  • Hand Protection
  • Hazardous and Explosive Atmospheres
  • Health and Safety Awareness
  • Hearing Protection
  • Heat
  • Lighting and ATEX
  • Noise Monitoring
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Respiratory Protection
  • Safety Footwear
  • Safety Technology
  • Safety Training
  • Slips, Trips, and Falls
  • Wellbeing at work
  • Working at Height
  • Working rights

MORE

  • Press Release
  • Events
  • Videos
  • Webinars
  • Magazines

COMPANY

  • About
  • Sign Up
  • Advertising
  • Contact

CATEGORIES

  • Safety Signage
  • Heat and Flame
  • Article
  • Press Release
  • Air Pollution
  • Above The Neck Protection
  • Chemical Protection
  • Confined Space
  • Construction
  • Emergency Procedures
  • Energy, Oil, and Mining Industries
  • Eye Protection
  • Fall Protection
  • Gas Detection
  • Hand Protection
  • Hazardous and Explosive Atmospheres
  • Health and Safety Awareness
  • Hearing Protection
  • Heat
  • Lighting and ATEX
  • Noise Monitoring
  • Offshore Platform Safety
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Regulations & Legislations
  • Respiratory Protection
  • Safety Footwear
  • Safety Technology
  • Safety Training
  • Slips, Trips, and Falls
  • Wellbeing at work
  • Working at Height
  • Working rights

Press Release

NEBOSH Knows: Excavation Safety

By NEBOSH

| Read Bio

Published: January 14th, 2019

Share this article

In the second of our regular columns, the experts from NEBOSH answer our readers’ occupational health, safety and environmental questions.

We are about to start doing some excavation work and I wanted to know how to stay safe on-site. Do you have any tips that will help us?

Excavation is a hazardous part of construction work. It presents a series of risks to workers that must be addressed to keep everyone safe. We’ll look at just some of the principles of excavation safety.

The risk of collapse

Common dangers include collapses, falling loads, striking underground pipes, hazardous atmospheres and mobile equipment. However, cave-ins or collapses pose the greatest risk to workers and are the most likely type of incident to occur.

One cubic metre of soil weighs about 1.5 tonnes, so you can imagine the implications if someone was trapped, even under a small collapse.

One thing to remember is that you cannot rely on an excavated trench (of any significant depth) supporting itself. It will collapse unless it is supported in some way. So, before any digging takes place, you must decide what temporary trench support you need to use. For example, drag boxes / trench boxes, timber supports, trench sheets, battering the trench side back, depending on the nature of the soil and size/depth of the trench. Make sure these are readily available on site before any work is started. You also need to take precautions to ensure the smooth running of the project and implement plans (including rescue) in case an incident was to occur. This includes identifying appropriate site access, regular inspections, locating underground pipes/wires and overhead cables.

Day-to-day excavation activities also pose a significant risk. Falling or dislodged material is something you need to watch out for. The movement of equipment or vehicles near the edge of the excavation site could easily cause material to slip, so store them away from the edges and move them carefully, if necessary. Use edge protection, including toe boards, projecting trench sheets or box sides, all of which help guard against falling materials.

Depending on the site conditions, it is possible that the trench may fill with hazardous vapours. If you are working in a trench deeper than about 1.2 metres and in an area where hazardous atmospheres are likely, atmospheric testing, ventilation, and respiratory protection, should be provided. Workers who ‘rush’ in to rescue co-workers, often become the victims. Many workers who die from such atmospheres are would-be rescuers themselves, so make sure your staff have the right skills in place to handle situations like these. This type of site should, however, be identified early on, when planners perform pre-construction site surveys, so you know to be alert and prepare your employees accordingly.

Inspections

No work should take place until a competent person has inspected the site at the start of each shift. This might sound obvious, but you would be surprised how often it gets overlooked or dismissed as a formality. It’s important not to cut corners – the well-being of staff is more important than anything else.

All excavations should also be inspected after an ‘event’ that might affect its strength or stability. This would include the use of big machinery, or after a falling rock or large movement of earth. It’s important that a detailed record of inspections is kept, with any faults being corrected immediately.

Worker training

People make one of the biggest contributions to day-to-day safety. It’s important that all workers know how to stay safe and, in the event of an incident, know what to do.

The information here is a snapshot of tips to help you and your team stay safe. Of course, there is a wide range of training and qualifications available to give people the skills they need to create a safe working environment. Our NEBOSH International Certificate in Construction Health and Safety covers a broad range of construction hazards – including excavation – and how to control them. What’s more, the practical element of the qualification gives students the opportunity to carry out a safety inspection and prepare a report – something that’s essential in creating a safe working environment.

For further information about NEBOSH and its qualifications, visit www.nebosh.org.uk

Share this article

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

NEBOSH

NEBOSH is a leading global brand in health, safety and environmental qualifications. Its internationally recognised qualifications help to raise the competence of safety and environmental professionals as well as individuals at all levels in the workplace.
Since its inception in 1979 more than half a million people from around the world have studied for a NEBOSH qualification. Tens of thousands join their number every year studying with a network of 600 course providers in over 132 countries.
NEBOSH qualifications are highly respected by governments, employers and students. They build the knowledge and skills which underpin competent performance as a health, safety and environmental professional.
In 2014, NEBOSH received a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Outstanding Achievement in International Trade in recognition of its international success.

Connect with NEBOSH

Visit Website

POPULAR POSTS BY NEBOSH

NEBOSH Scholarship Launches for Aspiring Health and Safety Professionals

Press Release

NEBOSH Scholarship Launches for Aspiring Health and Safety Professionals

Press Release

International NEBOSH Diploma Holders Recognised by IOSH

Share the Road, Share the Risk!

Press Release

Share the Road, Share the Risk!

NEBOSH

Press Release

NEBOSH March Learner News

Press Release

NEBOSH Announces Five Winners of 2023 NEBOSH L’Oréal International Bursary

New NEBOSH Chief Executive Outlines Plans to Continue Mission for Social Good

Press Release

New NEBOSH Chief Executive Outlines Plans to Continue Mission for Social Good

Sign In / Sign Up

Sign up to view all content

Order Summary

  • Your Order: Digital Only Subscription
  • Subscription Length: 1 year
  • Recurring: Yes
  • Content Access:

    Great Choice

    We just need a few details to set up your account

    You are just a click away from having full access to HSME.

Total: Free

Your Details

Account Details

As part of the sign up process, you will be opted in to receive our email marketing delivering the latest news and products. If you do not want to receive marketing communications via email, please tick the box.

Or Sign In

FEATURED ARTICLES

Article

Staying Safe at Height

Article

Safety First-Hand

Press Release

Latest Earthquake Creates Devastation and Panic as Humanitarian Needs Soar

Article

EHS Software

Press Release

Dubai Municipality Launches Smart Inspection Programme

Article

A Guide to Protective Clothing

Advertisement

SOCIAL MEDIA

HSME on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/HSMEMagazine/

Advertisement

SOCIAL MEDIA

HSME on Twitter

@ ·
now

Reply on Twitter Retweet on Twitter Like on Twitter Twitter

Advertisement

Get full access to all articles and receive email updates - sign up for free!

Sign Up

ABOUT

  • About HSME
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us

YOUR ACCOUNT

Sign In

RESOURCES

Request Media Pack

CONNECT

ACCREDITATIONS

Copyright Bay Publishing 2023. All Rights reserved.

Designed & Built by:
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT