Safety measure to be Taken during Excavation

For a telecommunication site, the excavation works involve digging for tower foundation, for shelter/equipment room foundation and excavation for boundary wall (there could be few other types of foundations also, depending upon project specific need and agreement). So in continuity with previous post, following is a list of a few safety measures adopted during the excavation works at a telecom site.

·         All excavations’ bottom outlines have to be marked before start of any single excavation. And in cases where excavation work endangers an adjoining building or structure, temporarily or continuously, any measures dictated by sound engineering practice, will be taken. And such things have to be noted and if necessary need to be consulted with immediate Manager/Site Design Department prior to start of work.

·         In the area where excavation work is to be performed
, the locations and routes of power cables, gas pipes, water pipes, sewerages and similar installations will be investigated prior to start of actual work. Measures should be taken against gas leakages and work should not be commenced until any accumulated gas will has been discharged.

·         In excavations deeper than 150 cm, hand ladders for access of workers have to be provided in sufficient numbers. In case there are any supporting structures, these should not be used for climbing down or up the excavated trench.

·         No excavation work should be performed under heavy rain. Workers may resume work after rain has stopped and any necessary safety measures have been put into place.

·         Workers have to be provided with suitable cover to protect them from the elements during rain. Workers should not be made to work with wet clothing if the electrical or falling hazard is there.

·         Work machinery such as excavators, bulldozer and the like used in excavation work should not be operated by any other person than the qualified operator.

·         Earth excavated from the work area should be dumped in a suitable distance from the digging, to prevent a landslide. In cases where this is not possible, supporting braces should be implemented.

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