EXCAVATION SAFETY
Assoc. ASEAN ENGR. JAY MARK A. CAMBUSA,
M.Eng, ECE
DEFINITION
EXCAVATION – a man-made cut, cavity, trench,
or depression formed by earth removal.
DEFINITION
TRENCH – a narrow excavation. The depth is
greater than the width, but not wider than 15
feet.
Excavation Hazards
Cave–ins
Water accumulation
Hazardous atmosphere
Access/Egress
Falls
Mobile equipment
Excavation Hazards
Cave–ins - collapse of excavation’s wall.
Methods to prevent CAVE-INS:
Shielding
Shoring and timbering
Sloping
Benching
Excavation Hazards
Cave - Ins
SHIELD – refers to the literal use of a pre-constructed
box that acts as a shield. shielding functions as a
shield from collapse, while not always supporting the
trench wall itself.
Excavation Hazards
Cave - Ins
SHORING - a structure that supports the sides of
an excavation and protects against cave-ins.
Excavation Hazards
Cave - Ins
SLOPING - a technique that employs a specific angle
of incline on the sides of the excavation. The angle
varies based on assessment of impacting site
factors.
Excavation Hazards
Cave - Ins
BENCHING – a method of protecting employees
from cave-ins by shaping the sides of an excavation
to form one or a series of horizontal levels. Making a
form of bench.
Excavation Hazards
Water Accumulation
Requirement:
Every excavation over 1 m. (3 ft.) shall be kept free of
water at all times.
Excavation Hazards
Hazardous Atmosphere
Requirement:
1. When harmful dusts, gases and fumes are present in
an excavation to such a degree hazardous to the
safety and health of the workers, all measures shall
be taken either by exhaust ventilation or by other
means to free the area of such contaminants.
Trench and Excavation depth of 1.2 meters or greater is
considered as confined space.
2. Internal combustion engine shall only be operated in
an excavation when provision is made to ensure that
the exhaust gases and fumes are rendered harmless
or discharged to a point away from the excavation.
Excavation Hazards
Hazardous Atmosphere
Confined Space is identified as any area with
Limited means of access / egress and the area is
subject to oxygen deficiency or oxygen enriched,
accumulation of flammable vapors ,
And is not specifically designed for human
occupancy.
ENTRY - The act by which a person
intentionally passes through an opening into a
permit required confined space. Any part of the
body passing through the opening is
considered entry.
Excavation Hazards
Hazardous Atmosphere
Confined Space
Tanks Vaults
Manholes Pipes
Boilers Trenches
Furnaces Tunnels
Sewers Ducts
Silos Bins
Hoppers Pits
Excavation Hazards
Hazardous Atmosphere
Excavation Hazards
Hazardous Atmosphere
Potential Hazards in Confined Space
Oxygen Deficiency < 19.5 % or 21.5% > Oxygen
Enriched
Combustibles – Methane, Hydrogen, Acetylene,
Propane, Gasoline Fumes
Toxic Materials – Carbon Monoxide (CO), Hydrogen
Sulfide (H2S), Welding Fumes, Corrosives, etc.
Excavation Hazards
Hazardous Atmosphere
Toxic Gas Density and Gas Monitoring
Excavation Hazards
Hazardous Atmosphere
Toxic Gas Density and Gas Monitoring
Excavation Hazards
Hazardous Atmosphere
Oxygen Deficient / Enriched
Excavation Hazards
Hazardous Atmosphere
Combustibles – less than 10% of the LEL
The lowest concentration at Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) vs. Upper explosive
Limit (UEL)
which a gas can ignite is
called lower explosive limit
(LEL). Concentrations below Too Too
this limit are too lean to burn.
AIR, cubic meter
Lean Rich
To To
The highest concentration that burn burn
can be ignited is its upper
explosive limit (UEL). Above
that concentration, the mixture
FUEL, cubic meter
is too rich to burn
LEL UEL
Excavation Hazards
Hazardous Atmosphere
Toxic Gases – above permissible exposure
limit (PEL).
Excavation Hazards
Hazardous Atmosphere
Toxic Gases – Effects of Carbon Monoxide
(CO)
Excavation Hazards
Hazardous Atmosphere
Toxic Gases – Effects of Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)
Excavation Hazards
Hazardous Atmosphere
Ventilation
Excavation Hazards
Hazardous Atmosphere
Confined Space Entrant - The employee who
will physically enter the confined space to
perform the work.
Confined Space Attendant - The employee who
remains outside the confined space and
monitors the entrant(s); guards the space
against unauthorized entry; warns the entrants
of any unusual conditions; and summons the
rescue personnel if needed.
Excavation Hazards
Hazardous Atmosphere
Confined Space
Entry Permit
Excavation Hazards
Hazardous Atmosphere
Confined Space
Log – IN/OUT
Excavation Hazards
Hazardous Atmosphere
Confined Space Rescue Plan
Rescue Team
Rescue Equipment
Written Procedure
Must practice to
retain the
=knowledge
Excavation Hazards
Hazardous Atmosphere
Excavation Hazards
Access / Egress
Requirements:
Safe means of access and egress must be provided.
One (1) access and egress in every 16.6 m. (50 ft.) of
length.
Excavation Hazards Falls
Requirements:
Fall of Excavated Soil and Material
Excavation Hazards Falls
Requirements:
Fall of Worker , Tool and Machinery
Excavation Hazards Falls
Berm (Level Space, Border Barrier)
One third (1/3) of the depth of the excavation
If area is limited, berm can be reduced to not less than
one (1) meter.
Berm
2 meters
6 meters
deep
Excavation Hazards Falls
Provision of Barricades
The top of the walls of an excavation shall be barricaded
to a height of at least 1 m. (3 ft.) .
Safe Access / Egress
Hard Barricade
Safety Signage
Excavation Hazards Falls
Fall on Protruding Rebar:
Excavation Hazards Falls
Fall on Protruding Rebar:
DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN!!!!!!
