What are 5 things you should be looking at prior to digging an excavation or trench?
Daily Inspection Checklist – SLAC Stanford (California)…Inspect the surface conditions.
- Are there cracks in the soil?
- Is there standing water in the excavation?
- Is the soil heap an appropriate distance from the trench (at least two feet)?
- Are there any equipment or materials near the edge of the trench?
What is the difference between digging and excavation?
Digging, also referred to as excavation, is the process of using some implement such as claws, hands, manual tools or heavy equipment, to remove material from a solid surface, usually soil or sand on the surface of Earth.
What is the purpose of excavation?
Excavation has several critical purposes, including exploration, environmental restoration, mining, and construction. Construction is one of the most common applications for excavation. In construction, excavation is used to create building foundations, reservoirs, and roads.
What is meant by trenching?
Trenching is a construction method that involves digging a narrow trench in the ground for the installation, maintenance, or inspection of pipelines, conduits, or cables.
Why is trenching important?
Trenching is an important part of any construction project. It involves digging and removing the dirt, forming a narrow depression into the ground, which is then utilized for a variety of projects. They’re used for a wide variety of civil and engineering projects, including laying pipes and telephone wire.
How do you dig the ground?
How to Dig a Hole: Pro Tips
- Step 1: String your line and pound the stakes.
- Step 2: Carve out a soil divot with a spade.
- Step 3: Loosen earth with a tile shovel.
- Step 4: Use your clamshell digger.
- Step 5: Use a reciprocating saw on large roots.
- Step 6: Dislodge rocks with a digging bar.
- Step 7: Tamp the soil with the other end.
What are the safety precautions for trenching?
Keep excavated soil (spoils) and other materials at least 2 feet (0.61 meters) from trench edges. Keep heavy equipment away from trench edges. Identify any equipment or activities that could affect trench stability. Test for atmospheric hazards such as low oxygen, hazardous fumes, and toxic gases when workers are more than 4 feet deep.
What is the difference between an excavation and a trench?
OSHA defines an excavation as any man-made cut, cavity, trench, or depression in the Earth’s surface formed by earth removal. A trench is defined as a narrow excavation (in relation to its length) made below the surface of the ground. In general, the depth of a trench is greater than its width, but the width of a trench
When is a protective system not required for an excavation?
The Excavation standards do not require a protective system when an excavation is made entirely in stable rock or when an excavation is less than 5 feet (1.52 meters) deep and a competent person has examined the ground and found no indication of a potential cave-in. What other precautions do employers need to take to protect workers from cave-ins?
What are the hazards of excavation work?
In addition to cave-ins and related hazards, workers involved in excavation work are exposed to hazards involving falling loads and mobile equipment. To protect workers from these hazards, OSHA requires employers to take certain precautions. For example, employers must: