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Excavation <br />Potential Significant Hazards <br />Lack of situational awareness while <br />working in the trench can expose workers to <br />significant hazards. <br />III <br />III <br />Underground electrical lines can present a <br />hazard during excavations, large or small. <br />Underground pipelines may contain <br />pressurized, flammable or toxic <br />materials, creating a hazard if released <br />during excavation. <br />1111 <br /> Cave-Ins can crush or suffocate workers if <br />proper preventive measures aren't taken. <br />1111 Lack of oxygen can incapacitate workers. <br />II <br />Flammable gases can be present or <br />build up during the work and create an <br />explosive atmosphere. <br />III <br />Some toxic gases, such as H2 5, are heavier <br />than air and can collect in low spots, resulting <br />in dangerously high concentrations. <br />III <br />MI <br />Drowning is possible if there is a leak or if rain <br />runoff fills the excavation. <br />Excavation equipment can become a hazard <br />when it is moved or if it tips over during the <br />excavation work. <br />Prevention Means Always: <br />Ask: Is there a safer way to complete the job <br />without working in the excavation or near <br />heavy equipment? <br />El Comply with permitting requirements. Use of this <br />field guide is not an equivalent. <br />El Provide supervisory job-site walk-through prior to <br />permit approval and periodically during work. <br />El Provide a competent person to assess the soil, <br />plan and permit, to inspect the excavation and to <br />engage engineering professionals as needed. <br />El Use only qualified and authorized personnel to <br />operate your excavation equipment. <br />El Contact utility providers to identify, locate and <br />understand routing of underground utilities. <br />El Establish a job-specific rescue plan, including <br />rescue personnel and equipment, before entering <br />the excavation. <br />EI Select and use appropriate shoring or <br />benching methods as defined in•the Safety in <br />Designs manual. <br />El Provide appropriate means for entering and <br />exiting excavations, such as ramps, ladders, etc. <br />El Store removed soil away from the edge (at <br />least 2 ft/0.6 m) to avoid cave-ins or soil falling <br />on workers. <br />El Secure and barricade the work site to prevent <br />unauthorized access by vehicles and personnel. <br />El Prohibit standing or working under loads. <br />Follow all gas testing and monitoring requirements <br />and procedures, especially near running engines. <br />Inspect the site at shift start and after any <br />change or event (such as rain, new equipment or <br />an earthquake). <br />13 Assess all of your job's specific hazards • •• Did you assess for human performance? 14 •