Safety in Excavations

A guided study of
understanding
the risks and dangers in
excavation work
Topics to be Discussed

 Soil Types
 Shear Strength
 Collapse Types
 Strength Factors
 Protective Measures
Safety in Excavations

In General:
 An employer is required to provide safe means
of access to and egress from a work area above
or below ground level by means of stair, ladder,
runway or ramp.
 The access way must be well maintained well-
lit, clear of obstructions, and be suitable
abrasive to ensure firm footing for workers.
Safety in Excavations

 Excavation work cannot commence until

the Labour Division has been notified and
the employer has received a registration
number and has notified public utilities.
 If the employer does not perform the
excavation in accordance with the
Construction Industry Safety Regulation
of the Workplace Safety and Health Act,
the registration may be revoked and the
excavation shut down.
Safety in Excavations

Soil Types
Soil Types

 Stable Rock
 Type A Soil
 Type B Soil
 Type C Soil
 Layered Geological Strata
Safety in Excavations

Shear Strength
Shear Strength

“ The capacity of a material

to resist the internal and
external forces which slide
past each other “
Shear Strength

 Cohesion
The stickiness of the soil; a greater
amount of clay than sand.

 Internal Friction
A result of particle shape.
Safety in Excavations

Strength
Factors
Strength Factors

 Water
 Vibrations
 Erosion and Weathering
 Excavation Depth
 Slope Steepness
 Degree of Soil Compaction
Safety in Excavations

Collapse Types
Collapse Types

 Zone of Exposure
Collapse Types

 Zone of Exposure
 Spoil Pile Slide
Collapse Types

 Zone of Exposure
 Spoil Pile Slide
 Side Wall Shear
Collapse Types

 Zone of Exposure
 Spoil Pile Slide
 Side Wall Shear
 Slough – in
Collapse Types

 Zone of Exposure
 Spoil Pile Slide
 Side Wall Shear
 Slough – in
 Rotation
Safety in Excavations

Shoring Techniques
Shoring Techniques

Engineers are often required to design

shoring, which is a construction
procedure used specifically to maintain
the stability of the walls of an
excavation and provide protection to
workers who may enter the excavation
Shoring Techniques

Accidental Falling Entry

 Excavation sites cannot be crowed with
anything such as piles of excavated
material or excavation equipment which
might accidentally fall into the
excavation.

 All work areas adjacent to public

walkways must be adequately guarded or
barricaded by fences, guardrails or a
covering sufficient to prevent persons
from falling into the excavation.
Shoring Techniques

Shafts and Tunnels

 Due to the specific nature and hazards of the
work, a professional engineer may be required
to design a support structure for a shaft or
tunnel prior to commencement.

 At least one worker in each work crew must be

experienced in the type of work being
performed in shaft and tunnel excavations, and
at least one worker is required to be trained in
first aid.
Shoring Techniques

Access Way
 Employers must surround the opening to
an underground excavation with a firm,
level area and a protective barrier (at
least 1 meter in height) surrounding it.
 The access way must be secured with a
cover to prevent unauthorised entry.
 Access landings, the bottom of shafts and
tunnels, and other similar work areas
must be kept free of loose mud and other
accumulations of debris.
Shoring Techniques

Atmosphere

 Every employer must provide a suitable

ventilation system in a shaft or tunnel
excavation to ensure that there is no lack of
oxygen and that concentrations of toxins in
the atmosphere are minimised.

 No employer shall allow internal combustion

engines to be used in underground work
areas unless the engines are properly
engineered to do so.
Shoring Techniques

Illumination
 Every employer must provide electrical
illumination for the full length of the
tunnel and at the face of the excavation
where inadequate natural light is present.

 Where electrical illumination is used in an

underground excavation, employers are
required to provide an emergency
lighting system.
Shoring Techniques

First Aid in Shafts and Tunnels

Employers must ensure that:

 At least one worker holding a valid first aid
certificate must be present during each shift.
 A first aid kit is provided in the immediate
vicinity of the entrance to a shaft or tunnel.
 A basket stretcher and blankets are provided
at each worksite.
 Workers are instructed in proper underground
rescue procedures.
Shoring Techniques

Flammable and Combustible Hazards

 Flammable and combustible liquids shall

not be used underground unless they
are stored in accordance with the
Manitoba Fire Code.

 Effective means for extinguishing a fire

in an underground excavation must be
provided where combustible or
flammable materials may be present.
Shoring Techniques

 Wood Support
Shoring Techniques

 Wood Support
 Screw Jacks
Shoring Techniques

 Wood Support
 Screw Jacks
 Hydraulic Shores
Shoring Techniques

 Wood Support
 Screw Jacks
 Hydraulic Shores
 Spacing
Shoring Techniques

 Wood Support
 Screw Jacks
 Hydraulic Shores
 Spacing
 Trench Cages
Concluding Remarks

Excavation Work is a highly dangerous

industry. Safety standards need to be
implemented and stringently
maintained