Excavation safety

You never see it coming. Workers are in a trench when the walls collapse and bury the workers under thousands of pounds of debris and dirt. These accidents are tragic but can be prevented. With the fatality rate being much higher than general construction, safety precautions are much more strict and there are other factors that only affect excavation workers.

Cave-ins are a real hazard and all workers involved should know the dangers involved on each project so they can take the proper precautions. Turnover, improper training, and trying to complete jobs quicker, are some of the reasons severe injury and death can occur when workers aren’t aware of the dangers. But safety should never be sacrificed for efficiency. Projects can be completed in a timely manner with properly trained workers when companies take the time up front to make sure everyone is properly trained and aware of the dangers involved in this line of construction.

Do your part! If you are a contractor, make sure anyone you hire is trained accordingly and is always aware of the dangers involved in each and every project! Does it make more sense to set up the work site properly the first time and have a safe work environment, with proper fencing and safety rails, caution markers, warning signs, and doing the work right the first time, or have to evacuate workers and potentially have injury or death because you want to shave a few hours off the project? Workers should do their part and always wear proper safety gear and be aware of the current project they are working on to take the proper precautions. 

Together we can work together to increase worker awareness and safety. Together we can prevent workplace accidents. Together we can save lives.

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