Toolbox Talks
Topic: Basic Awareness on Excavation
Introduction
Openings (digging or removal of earthen or rock from ground) of any surface (any below-ground) for Construction or Maintenance activity or have developed due to the erosion of subsoil and the consequent collapsing of the paving is called excavation. Working inside these excavations / openings is potentially hazardous and accidents associated this activity are preventable with proper planning and safe work practice execution.
Accidents associated with excavations happen generally due to:
The injuries occurs due to collapse of excavations are usually injuries caused by the sheer weight of the collapsing material. Do you know that “A Cubic Meter of earth weighs over 1.5 Ton”.
- Non installation of shoring where required.
- Failure of shoring as it was / may not frequently inspected or maintained.
- Unnecessary movement of workers beyond the shoring protection.
- When Underground utilities ignored.
- Movement of vehicle / traffic very near to excavation site.
- Re-entrance of workers at excavation site without inspecting the walls or shoring post rainfall.
- Non-compliance of electrical safety.
- Accumulation of debris, construction materials and equipment too close at excavation site.
- Barrier erection failure around an open excavation.
- Excavation without signal-man / banks-man.
- Presence of Hyper-Tension lines near excavation work site.
- Improper access / egress, damaged or missing ladders, absence of ramp at excavation site.
- Workers attempting to jump over excavations (doing horseplay / unsafe acts).
- Lowering down of materials by throwing within excavation (not using bucket, rope, etc. to lower tools).
Prior Excavation following to be ensured:
- Permit to Work from the authorized safety officer / area in-charge.
- Toolbox Talks to be conducted on daily basis.
- Follow the area layout / drawings and clearance have to be obtained from Electrical / Instrumented.