All construction projects must begin with excavation. But, without the proper safety measures, this task can put your workers at risk of cave-ins. Secure your team’s well-being with these excavation training programs that cover everything your team needs to know about excavation safety.
A successful construction project is dependent on excavation work. It creates the foundation for the rest of the building and its supply lines. But, it’s one of the most dangerous operations due to the risk of cave-ins. There are many hazards present at an excavation site, but cave-ins are the most reported cause of accidents.
The U.S. Department of Labor recorded about 39 fatalities in 2022, which is nearly double those in 2021. In the same report, the Bureau of Labor Statistics stated that from 2011 to 2018, an average of 21 deaths happened each year. This rise in accidents means that we need to start taking excavation safety seriously.
The best way to prevent these accidents from happening is by prepping your team with safety training. Excavation work must be done properly with inspections, implementation of shoring and shielding systems, and safety procedures to protect the lives of your team. Building the habit for these practices starts with learning how they work.
What is excavation training?
Excavation training teaches your team the OSHA standards for safe digging work, the best practices for stabilizing an excavation work site, and how to identify the warning signs of an accident. This goes for all types of excavations, including, but not limited to, trenching, cut and fill, dredging, and tunneling.
You can find these OSHA-approved standards and practices in the Code of Federal Regulations 29 CFR 1926 subpart P. Some essential topics include soil classification, sloping and benching, and the selection of protective systems. All of these pointers and practices help minimize the risk of cave-ins and other hazards.
Excavation training can be done through training by employers, on-site training, or through online training platforms that offer excavation courses. You may also want to check out other construction training courses to keep your team trained and protected throughout the building’s construction.
What are the objectives of excavation training?
The main objective of excavation training is for the trainee to be self-sufficient in carrying out and maintaining safe excavation work. They should know how to check the soil condition at the worksite, inspect the condition protective systems, and call out any signs of hazards like cracks in the soil, changes in soil, and bad weather. Everyone’s responsible for creating a safe excavation site.
Though it’s not required for your team to be certified, it’s highly recommended that they’re aware of the risks involved with excavation and the proper habits to avoid an accident. If your team isn’t trained in excavation and trenching safety, you’ll receive fines and violations from OSHA while endangering your team to cave-ins or trench collapses.
OSHA also requires that a competent person should always preview the site if it’s safe for work. Defined in OSHA Standard 1926.32(f), a competent person is someone who can properly identify if the worksite is dangerous to employees. They can prompt their employer to implement more protective measures to secure the worksite.
A certification isn’t required for a competent person, but experience and skill are. Both can be acquired by practicing the knowledge gained through excavation training programs. To create competent persons in your team and boost the safety of your worksite, it’s important to keep implementing excavation training. You can also improve your excavation training program with excavator training courses to create a safer excavation worksite on the surface.
Protect your team with excavation training programs
Excavation work is a necessary step for construction work. But, without the proper safety measures, it could be fatal for your team. Everyone should be trained and informed of the potential hazards, safety systems, and PPEs for excavation to remove the risk of cave-ins and other accidents.
Meet the task of training with gamification and microlearning. Use Mitti (by SafetyCulture) to level up your excavation training program. Sign up now to keep your excavation sites safe.