How to protect workers in open excavations

Trenches and excavations are required across a number of different construction projects, from telecoms to utilities as well as road works. If not managed properly, excavations can put the public and workers at risk. In this guide, we’ll explain how to protect workers in open excavations, and how Oxford Plastics can help reduce the risk of injury or even death.

What is an open excavation?

Excavation is an essential part of the construction process. There are multiple types of excavation which can be used for different purposes. These include

• Topsoil Excavation: Topsoil excavations consist of the top layer of the earth. Usually, topsoil excavations are usually done to clear a site for construction.
• Earth Excavation: This type of excavation is used to create foundations for buildings and other structures and involves removing the topsoil and the layer beneath it.
• Cut and Fill Excavation: Cut and fill excavation involves cutting into an uneven surface such as a hillside and using the excavated material to level the other areas of the works site.
• Trench Excavation: Trench excavations are usually longer and deeper than they are wide, and are often used by utilities, telecoms or construction companies to install or access pipes and cables.

What checks need to be made when working in open excavations?

Before any work is carried out it’s important to carry out a risk assessment to identify any potential risks and hazards on-site to protect the public and anyone working on the site. This should include ensuring the excavation area is stable. This can be calculated by analysing the type of soil that needs to be excavated.

Any existing utilities such as gas pipes, electricity and water should be marked out accurately to avoid cutting into them, which can be disruptive and costly. All employees working on the site should have adequate training and awareness of potential hazards including any emergency procedures.

Often overlooked, you should check the weather in case of inclement weather conditions, poor visibility and wet weather can make sites extremely dangerous, increasing the risks of slips, trips and falls.  

Site accessibility is also important to ensure that workers can access the trench safely and securely. In addition to ladders or ramps to enter the trench, it’s also important to choose the right trench cover for your needs.

How can Oxford Plastics help?

Here at Oxford Plastics, we have a wide range of products to make excavations easier, whether you need barriers and fencing to keep your site secure. We also have a wide range of trench covers and road plates for use with excavations.

The LowPro 12/8 can help save time and money as there’s no need to bolt the boards into place as they have rubber edges for grip, durable for pedestrians up to 1.6T vehicles. They also benefit from a simple 2-man installation without the need for heavy machinery.

The LowPro 15/10 is flexible, lightweight and easy to install, like the LowPro12/8, there’s no need to bolt the boards into place and can support vehicles and pedestrians up to 3.5T.

Our LowPro 23/05 is also lightweight, and easy to install, a great alternative to steel road plates. The super strong plates support up to 44t vehicles over the excavation and flexible units connect to cover any length of trench.

Want to find out how Oxford Plastics can help you? Check out our product range today or contact us to book a demo.