| Purpose |
Protecting Workers and the public from injuries associated with excavating and trenching. |
| Definition |
Excavating and trenching is removing earth from the ground by digging; creating a hole or trench. |
| Hazards
This list of potential hazards is not comprehensive. Workers are required to complete a Hazard Assessment prior to starting this task to ensure all hazards are identified and controlled.
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Chemical:
Physical:
- Mobile Equipment
- Cave-ins
- Fall from Heights
- Falling objects
- Soil Conditions
- Access/Egress
- Weather Conditions
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| Controls |
Engineering:
- Barricades and required signage, as per Applicable Legislation
- Shoring, as per Applicable Legislation
- Access/egress ladder
- Adequate ventilation and air quality monitoring
Administrative:
- Emergency Response Plan (ERP)
Personal Protective Equipment:
- CSA/ANSI approved safety footwear
- High Visibility Safety Vest
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| Work Site Supervisory Responsibility |
Do
- Ensure barricades are set up to prevent access to the excavation by other Workers or the General Public.
- Ensure safe work protocol is used when excavating and trenching.
- Ensure excavation work is done in accordance with the written instructions of a qualified registered professional if:
- The excavation is more than 6 metres/20 feet deep.
- An improvement or structure is adjacent to the excavation.
- The excavation is subject to vibration or hydrostatic pressure likely to result in ground movement hazardous to Workers.
- The ground slopes away from the edge of the excavation at an angle steeper than a ratio of 3 horizontal to 1 vertical.
- Ensure safe means of entry and exit are be provided for an excavation a Worker enters.
- If Workers are required to enter a trench over 1.25 metres/4 feet deep, the safe point of entry and exit must be located within 8 metres/25 feet of the Workers and the excavation must be safely supported or sloped to the entry and exit location.
- Ensure excavated material are kept back a minimum distance of 60 centimetres/2 feet from the edge of a trench excavation and 1.25 metres/4 feet from any other excavation.
Do not
- Allow Workers to enter an un-shored or unsafe excavation.
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| Contractor Responsibility |
Do
- Perform a Hazard Assessment prior to starting work.
- Ensure that all underground and/or overhead lines being crossed have been identified and well- marked/flagged and located slips are onsite.
- Where the cut-back method is not possible, shoring must meet Applicable Legislation.
- Control traffic near roads or busy access ways.
- Provide ladders in immediate area for access/egress.
- Follow the protective mechanisms above.
Do not
- Enter any trench or excavation until temporary shoring structures have been installed unless said trench or excavation is shallower than the legal minimums and the soil is stable.
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