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Toolbox Talk - Excavations 1

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122 views2 pages

Toolbox Talk - Excavations 1

Toolbox talk

Uploaded by

Dawar Fort
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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A 13860 Ballantyne Corporate Place

Suite 120A
Charlotte, NC 28277 USA
P 855 214 0502
W www.industrialcompliancesafety.com

Published: January 17, 2020

Toolbox Talk – Excavations

Date Company Name


Supervisor Job Name

There are many tasks in the construction industry that require the removal of earth. This process, known as excavation,
can be very dangerous. Cave-ins and slough-offs are significant causes of death every year in the field of construction.
With this week’s Toolbox Talk, you can review the process of excavation with your employees and make sure that they
always follow proper guidelines when performing this kind of work.

Guidelines for Discussion:


Whenever we create an excavation, there are specific rules that we must follow to protect the safety of everyone involved.
Excavations can be very dangerous if their sides aren’t properly shored, if they haven’t been checked for hazardous gases,
and if they haven’t been thoroughly inspected by a competent person.
Let’s go over the basics of excavation, so that we all know the steps involved in working safety.

Before an excavation:
• Check for underground utilities. Call the companies that operate local utilities, and check with the property owner.
If you do not check before digging, you can disrupt a line, which damages the local infrastructure and causes
delays.
• Scan the area for potential overhead hazards. Is there a chance of falling rock, soil, or other materials?
• Check the surrounding area and construction site. Make a mental note if there is heavy equipment operating near
the excavation area. How deep will your excavation be, and will this be safe with the distance and weight of the
heavy equipment?
• Plan for how many people will work inside the excavation.
• Create an escape plan for the workers inside the excavation. Make sure this escape plan will be effective in the
event of a cave-in or slide.
• Perform a soil analysis. Compare the soil to your excavation plan - can you perform the type of protective system
necessary for the soil type?
While excavating:
• If you create an excavation with a depth of 5 feet or more, you must use a protective system such as shoring or
shielding.
• Never store excavated or other materials closer than two feet from the edge of the excavation. The accumulated
weight can cause a cave-in.
• Install access ladders at twenty-five foot intervals for all excavations 4 feet or more in depth.
• Meet with all employees who will work in the excavation, and thoroughly review the escape plan.
• Install a guardrail system to protect nearby civilians and employees, especially if there are walkways or bridges
crossing over an excavation.
When you are working with an excavation, you must have a competent person onsite to approve the trench protective
system and perform daily site inspections. Follow all suggestions and guidance provided by the competent person. Most
cave-ins are preventable if an excavation is inspected daily and properly maintained.

Toolbox Talk – Excavations


A 13860 Ballantyne Corporate Place
Suite 120A
Charlotte, NC 28277 USA
P 855 214 0502
W www.industrialcompliancesafety.com

Possible causes of cave-ins:


• Failure of protective systems and equipment.
• Hazardous atmosphere.
• Heavy rain or snow.
• Nearby construction or other man-made interference.

Additionally, the competent person must test the atmosphere of excavations 4 feet or deeper. This checks for for
potentially hazardous gases and oxygen deficiency. If, while working, an employee suspects the excavation of being
oxygen deficient or containing hazardous gas, exit the excavation and call the competent person immediately.

Additional Discussion Notes:


Who is the official competent person within your company? Name him/her.
What tools/materials can your employees use when creating barriers and warning devices around the side of an
excavation?

Safety Recommendations
Job Specific Topics

Attendees

Disclaimer
The information contained within this document (both the online and downloadable version) is provided for informational
purposes only. Nobody shall take this as a comprehensive or exhaustive resource on this topic. This material is believed
to be accurate, however, the information has been compiled from multiple sources, and so Industrial Compliance & Safety
assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of this information. We encourage you to consult experts about this specific
Toolbox Talk to ensure you are compliant with any and all safety regulations and processes. In no event does the content
of this document supersede any applicable local, state, or federal statutes or regulations.

This Toolbox Talk was Brought to you by Industrial Compliance & Safety.
Let Us Help Your Business Get Compliant with ISNetworld®, Avetta®, BROWZ®, & More. Fast & Easy Compliance Support.

Toolbox Talk – Excavations

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