If you work in construction, then you’ll likely be fairly used to looking out for trenches in the ground. You might even be the person who digs them or works in them at times.
It’s crucial to remember, however experienced you are, that it only takes a moment for an accident to occur. It could be down to a moment’s disconcentration by you or by someone else, or by someone trying to cut corners in a bid to save time or money. Here are some of the ways injury could occur
1. You fall into the trench
Not all trenches are marked as they should be, and people can fall into them while passing by on foot or even in a vehicle.
2. The trench falls on you
If you are required to work inside a trench, you want to be sure it is stable. Trenches are naturally unstable, so it’s important that adequate supports are in place and regular monitoring is done to check that the stability is preserved.
3. You encounter something in the trench
If you dig too vigorously while excavating a trench, you might encounter something that could do you harm, such as a power cable or high-pressure pipe. Some trenches also release dangerous gases from the subsoil. A proper study should be done before digging begins to determine what dangers might lie under the soil, and cables and pipes should be switched off, where possible.
4. Something falls onto you while in the trench
There should be an exclusion zone around the trench to reduce the chance that someone falls or drops something into it on top of anyone working inside.
Proper planning and precautions should rule out most of those injuries, but that does not always happen. If you are injured, be sure to learn more about claiming workers’ compensation.