- Shore the Trench’s Perimeter to Hold Back Potential Cave-ins. …
- Shield the Workers with Trench Boxes. …
- Slope the Trench Walls to Reduce Dangerously Steep Walls.
What is a way to protect workers in case a trench collapses?
Shoring is a system that supports the sides or walls. …
Trench boxes
can be used to protect workers in cases of cave-ins, but not to shore up or support trench walls. They can support trench walls if the space between the box and the trench wall is backfilled with soil and compacted properly.
What are 3 main protection methods against cave-ins?
To prevent cave-ins:
SLOPE or bench trench walls
.
SHORE trench walls with supports
, or. SHIELD trench walls with trench boxes.
How can you prevent an excavation from collapsing?
- Move extra excavation materials at least 2 feet away from the trench.
- If there isn’t room, remove the materials from the site.
- Remove personnel from the edge of the trench who are not working on it.
- Keep all equipment away from the site to prevent cave-ins and blunt force trauma.
How do we protect workers from cave-ins in excavations?
Shoring. This involves using support systems such as hydraulic cylinders to create a barrier between the workers and the trench walls. Shielding. This method uses systems such as
trench boxes
(use plates used to brace the sides of the trench) to protect workers from cave-ins.
What is the greatest danger associated with excavations?
Cave-ins
pose the greatest risk and are more likely than some other excavation-related incidents to result in worker fatalities. One cubic yard of soil can weigh as much as a car.
What is the safest way to get into and out of a deep excavation?
Battering the
excavation
sides – Battering the
excavation
sides to
a safe
angle of repose may also
make
the
excavation
safer. In granular soils, the angle of slope should be less than the natural angle of repose of the material being
excavated
. In wet ground a considerably flatter slope will be required.
What is benching in excavation?
“Benching (Benching system)” means
a method of protecting employees from cave-ins by excavating the sides of an excavation to form one or a series of horizontal levels or steps
, usually with vertical or near-vertical surfaces between levels.
What is risk of collapse in excavations?
A small fall of earth is capable of
causing serious injury and/or death
. Main hazards of excavation: Collapses. Excavation sides can be protected by battering the sides to a safe angle, supporting them with shuttering and sheeting, the use of trench boxes or hydraulic support systems. Person Falling into the Excavation.
What injury might you get if you are caught in a trench cave in?
Trench cave-ins often result in death for the trapped workers. When they survive, workers may suffer
crush injuries
, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), internal injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones and a host of other serious injuries.
How do I stop my hole from collapsing?
One easy solution is to
purchase cardboard form tubes and place them in the holes
to prevent the holes from collapsing. These tubes are sold in different sizes. You will probably want 12” or 16” diameter tubes that are at least 6′ tall.
What is the most common cause of a trench collapse?
Common Causes Of Trench Collapses
Trench collapses and cave-ins can be caused by:
Improper sloping
: When the trench is not sloped properly, it creates significant risk of increased instability and potential for collapse. Unstable soil: The soil itself is another factor that increases the risk of collapse.
What to do if a trench collapses?
Shut down all equipment
, except pumps that are being used to remove water in the immediate vicinity of the cave-in. Stop or reroute traffic that might create vibrations and cause a secondary cave-in. Do not attempt to dig the victim out with a backhoe or excavator. Such equipment may further injure the victim.
How deep should a trench be before shoring?
Trenches
5 feet (1.5 meters) deep or greater
require a protective system unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock. If less than 5 feet deep, a competent person may determine that a protective system is not required.
At what depth is an excavation considered a confined space?
In general practice, all trench excavations
over four feet in depth
should be considered confined spaces until a competent person has ruled out all of the potential hazards associated with it.
What type of soil Cannot be benched?
Type C soil
cannot be benched.
