Excavations and Trenching: Preventing Cave-Ins and Utility Strikes
Control catastrophic hazards in excavation and trenching work.
CCOHS highlights central excavation hazards including cave-ins, falls, hazardous atmospheres, and contact with buried services (electrical, gas, telecom). In BC, excavation and demolition work is governed under OHSR Part 20 and WorkSafeBC guidance materials, which should anchor site procedures and supervision checks.
Plan before digging: confirm utility locates, soil conditions, protective system selection (sloping/benching, shoring, shielding), safe access/egress, and equipment setback zones. Treat changing conditions (rain, vibration, adjacent traffic) as triggers to reassess and potentially stop work.
Atmospheric risk can arise in excavations, particularly with adjacent services or low-lying configurations. Where credible, treat the work like confined space entry: testing, permits, and rescue readiness. Evidence of reassessment and protective system verification supports due diligence.
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Plan protective systems and utility controls before entry; define atmospheric hazard triggers and testing; reassess whenever conditions change and document verification.