Excavations

Many falls into excavations occur when working near the excavation or attempting to enter or egress the excavation.

Control measures to reduce the risk of falls into excavations include:

  • creating physical edge protection by utilising the trench’s support system itself, for example stacking additional trench box extensions or using trench sheets longer than the trench depth
  • installing guard rails or covers on trench shields
  • inserting guard rails and toe-boards into the ground immediately next to the supported excavation side
  • installing landing platforms or scaffold towers inside deep excavations
  • securing ladders to trench shields
  • installing effective barriers or barricades
  • providing clearly defined pedestrian detours
  • providing alternative access and egress points to the excavation for emergency use, and
  • backfilling the excavation as work progresses.
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