Excavation is an essential service for many industries, including construction, utilities, landscaping, and more. If you need to move the dirt or level a site, then it’s essential that you hire the best excavation contractors in Austin, TX. It goes without saying: the quality of the contractors you hire will have a direct result on the outcome of your project.
The reality is that excavation can be a dangerous job. When heavy equipment is being used to dig and move dirt, there is a risk of injury and also potential damage to the property or surrounding buildings. For these reasons, make sure that you hire excavation contractors who prioritize construction safety.
Pre-Excavation Planning
The first step to maintaining excavation safety on the worksite is to ensure that you have a good safety plan in place. Not only do you need to have general safety practices that will be followed, but there are often site-specific concerns that need to be accounted for in the excavation plan.
This planning phase starts with a thorough site assessment. We look for any potential hazards that could get in the way, such as underground utilities, soil stability, and structures that are in the area.
Other planning activities include obtaining the necessary permits and ensuring that all regulations will be followed based on the requests of relevant authorities. It’s also smart to have an emergency response plan in place: what procedures will be followed if an accident or emergency occurs?
Excavation Safety Training for Construction Workers
It’s critical to be sure that every crew member is properly trained. No one should be stepping foot on site if they haven’t been through the proper training protocols. Each person needs to know the essential steps for risk mitigation, helping to prevent accidents and avoid hazards on the job site.
The intent is more than just legal compliance (following OSHA requirements)… ultimately the goal is to make sure that every person on your team is protected. Preventing injury is important for your crew at all times.
Additionally, when workers are highly trained, they will be more efficient in their jobs. You’ll benefit from a smoother project completion and increased productivity.
Identifying and Avoiding Underground Utilities
While the underground structure is essential for modern living, this infrastructure can pose a threat when excavation contractors are digging. It’s likely that there are various underground utilities going across your site: gas, water, electricity, and communication.
If any of these lines are hit, it can pose a threat to the excavation crew. At the same time, damage to these lines could disrupt services for everyone in the area. If utility lines are damaged, it could result in explosions, fires, electrocutions, and costly repairs.
So, before digging starts, experienced excavation contractors understand that they need to identify and mark underground utilities. Failing to avoid these utility lines is more than an inconvenience to your project – there could be serious legal and financial risks involved as a result of the accident.
Make sure to always call before you dig. If you hire the right excavation contractors, they will take care of this preparation step before bringing in the heavy equipment.
Daily Safety Inspections for Excavation Projects
Once the project is underway, continued efforts need to be made to avoid excavation hazards. Even with good pre-excavation planning, the conditions can always change. So, you need to have a system and schedule in place to keep up with daily safety inspections.
These ongoing inspections are designed to identify any changes that might be happening on the job site. New hazards could be present, such as shifting soil, water accumulation, or even damage to the protective systems that you previously put in place.
Additionally, these daily inspections are essential to ensure compliance at all times. Safety regulations and best practices always need to be followed. When excavation contractors are consistent about these inspections, then it helps to reduce the risk of legal issues and accidents at the same time.
Daily inspections are a proactive approach to risk management, focusing on the early detection and correction of any hazards that might be on the site. The goal is to handle things as quickly as possible, which reduces the likelihood that things will progress into more dangerous situations.
Personal Protective Equipment
While safe excavation practices are the first line of defense, personal protective equipment (PPE) adds another layer of protection in the unfortunate situation when something goes wrong on the job site. PPE works as a barrier between the workers and the potential hazards they are facing on the work site.
PPE is helpful in preventing injuries if there are flying debris, falling objects, chemical exposures, electrical shocks, etc. Not only do these items protect your team, but they also are required by OSHA and other regulatory authorities.
Common types of PPE for excavation contractors include:
- Hard hats
- Safety goggles
- High-visibility vests
- Steel-toe boots
- Hearing protection
- Gloves
- Respiratory protection
FAQ
How to prevent cave-ins during excavation?
Cave-ins can be prevented with specific excavation strategies. For example, skilled excavation contractors will always assess soil classification and conditions before digging commences. Testing and assessments are essential, as well as ongoing monitoring of soil conditions.
What are the best practices for safe trenching?
Not only do pre-excavation practices need to be followed for safe trenching, but it’s also important to use protective systems. For example, sloping or benching can be used to prevent cave-ins by keeping everything at a safe level or creating stepped levels (benches). Additionally, shielding with trench boxes can keep workers protected while they are in the trench.
Call the Excavation Contractors You Can Trust
Are you preparing for an upcoming excavation project? The contractors you hire will play a critical role in the overall outcome of your excavation. Make sure that you are working with a team you can trust! Our team is here to assist every step of the way. Contact Venditti, LLC to schedule a consultation and learn more about the full-service solutions we provide to our customers.
