Basic Tips that Can Guarantee the Safety of the Trenching Project

May 11, 2021

One process that is often carried out during construction works is trenching. It involves the excavation and removal of dirt, soil, and other similar elements to subsequently form a trench or a narrow depression underground. This narrow depression will then serve as the main installation site of gas mains, water mains, telephone lines, and other relevant utility lines. Aside from utilities, the trench can also be maximised in making a strong foundation for structures and buildings.

Given the significance of the trenching process, it is often carried out by many contractors that are involved in construction works. However, just like other processes involved in such works, trenching can pose serious risks to all the people around the site. Therefore, the construction industry follows a set of proper trenching practices to ensure the safety of workers and all the people on site.

Some tips that can guarantee the safety of the entire trenching project are as follows:

Integrate Protective Systems

One helpful tip that can ensure the safety of the trenching project is to integrate protective systems around the trenching site. Protective systems can generally prevent workers from getting injured or killed during the entire trenching project since cave-ins will be avoided. Even if the trench has a depth of 5 feet, protective systems must already be in place just to ensure everyone’s safety. Some notable protective systems that can be used for this type of project include sloping, benching, shoring, and trench shield.

Include Easy Access Points

Access and egress points in a trenching project should be included so that workers can easily go in and out of the site. Trenches that are deeper than four feet are recommended to have these easy access points for the safety and convenience of personnel. These access points can be integrated through the addition of ladders, ramps, and other similar tools. They must likewise be at least 25 feet from an employee all the time to avoid any possible accidents on site.

Check Atmosphere Situation

Another useful tip that can make the trenching project safe is to conduct adequate testing of the atmosphere. Not all project sites are similar. Some may have an atmosphere that does not emit dangerous gases, while others may have an environment that has harmful toxins in the air. Conducting atmospheric testing in a trenching site can confirm whether a place emits toxins or not. It can likewise confirm if the amount of oxygen on site is enough to sustain the needs of the workers.

Locate Important Utility Lines

While most utility lines in construction projects are depowered, there might be some lines and pipes that still have elements that can be dangerous to workers, especially if they are exposed to them. Without locating these lines underground, workers might accidentally hit an electric, gas, water, or sewer line, which might lead to catastrophic leaks and outbursts. Therefore, a contractor needs to locate and map out all utility lines first before proceeding to the digging process.

Proper excavation and frequent inspections of the trenches can also be done to make sure the project will be safe and productive. To know more about these tips, just give us a call at Metro Pits.

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