Steps To Remove & Install Protective Systems During Excavation
Suppose you’re taking part in any type of excavation. In that case, safety should always be the first thing on your mind, whether it be digging out a basement for your new home or office building, creating a swimming pool, or more sophisticated underground construction such as installing utilities and communication lines. Ensuring site safety is paramount to preventing accidents while working with heavy machinery, and below-ground work can present special challenges because of its location.
Several protective installation and removal systems must occur during excavation projects to ensure personnel safety due to collapsing soil or hidden utility strikes. Here we’ll discuss the steps required to install and remove these protective systems so everyone remains safe throughout the project.
Steps In Installing And Removal Of Protective Systems During Excavation
The first step in any excavation project is installing a protective system. This usually consists of support structures like sheets, beams, and posts driven into the ground to hold up the surrounding soil and prevent it from collapsing or shifting during digging. It’s important to use quality materials for this process, such as steel beams or pressure-treated lumber, so the system remains sturdy and won’t fail during the project. Once these support structures are in place, it’s also a good idea to cover them with plastic sheeting or tarpaulin to protect against water damage during excavation.
Once the excavation is completed, it’s time to remove all of the installed protective systems. This is done by carefully loosening and removing each beam or post, ensuring that it is still securely in place so as not to disturb the surrounding soil. Once all of the protective systems have been removed, it’s important to inspect the area for any hidden utility lines, such as gas and water pipes, that may have been misplaced during the excavation process. If any utilities are found, it is important to contact the appropriate authorities to have them repaired or replaced before completing the project.
Finally, all of the excavated soil needs to be removed and disposed of in a safe manner. Depending on local regulations, this may involve hiring specialized machinery and trucks that can safely remove the soil from the site. Once these steps have been completed, the excavation project can be declared finished and safe for people to use once again.
By following these steps and ensuring that all protective systems are properly installed and removed during an excavation project, you can significantly reduce the risk of accidents or injuries occurring at your worksite. With the help of these measures, everyone involved can rest assured that the job is being done safely and efficiently.
Choosing the Correct Protection System
In excavation and trenching operations, protection is prevented. OSHA outlines numerous requirements in CFR 1926 subpart P regarding excavation and trenching. The following are a few requirements outlined by OSHA; Trenches/Excavations exceeding 20 feet require Professional Engineering Systems with tabulated data. OSHA’s Subpart P Appendices A-F also outlines specific requirements when installing protective systems.
The manufacturer’s recommendations must be followed for all protective systems utilized. The Competent Person must inspect all components of the protective system daily. There are four common methods when figuring out the best method for protecting works in excavations. Those methods are sloping, benching, and shoring or shielding.
Installation and Removal of Protective Systems
When installing and removing a protective system, you must take the necessary steps to protect yourself and your employees. The OSHA standard requires you to take the following steps to protect your employees:
- Connect members of the support systems securely.
- Install support systems safely.
- Avoid overloading members of support systems.
- Install other structural members to carry loads imposed on the support system when you temporarily remove individual members.
In addition, the standard permits excavation of two feet or less below the members of a trench support or shield system if the system is designed to resist the forces calculated for the full trench depth.
