Excavation Safety Training
In construction projects that involve extensive digging and excavation work, cave-ins are generally considered to be the biggest hazard on the job site. Excavation involves the removal of earth to create a trench or cavity in the earth's surface. As trenches are dug, the ground surrounding the excavation becomes unstable and can collapse, which can cause serious injury even in a shallow trench. Excavation safety training can help teach the methods and regulations to avoid these potentially fatal accidents.
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State Training Requirements
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Construction site training is often required and monitored by the state. Fatalities stemming from construction site cave-ins are a reality claiming hundreds of lives each year. Workers die due to drowning, injuries from a fall, asphyxiation and toxic fumes while trapped. The requirements for excavation safety training may vary by state, but it typically requires a specific number of training hours and an OSHA-approved course of study. Training generally includes a focus on teaching workers and site managers how to identify risk factors and how to protect employees from a job site cave-in. Individual state requirements should always be checked to ensure compliance.
Course Topics
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Training is provided on proper use of rescue equipment such as oxygen masks and rescue pulleys. Course topics generally cover the basics of OSHA safety standards as well as the dangers associated with excavation work and its potential hazards. Workers are taught about the different types of soil and the unstable conditions that may arise from excavation and digging in a particular area. Training is also provided on access and egress methods as well as the proper use of safety and rescue equipment for rescue efforts.
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Company Provided Training
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Some companies may develop their own excavation safety training courses. Courses and training materials are available for purchase directly from OSHA or from other training companies that offer certified courses based on OSHA training. Training services are also available for hire. The purchased materials may be incorporated into an excavation safety training course taught by an in-house company safety manager, or a company may choose to hire a training professional to teach an excavation safety course to employees on-site. Companies may also develop their own training courses to meet state guidelines for safety.
Safety Training Classes
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Excavation safety training classes can be found in many states. Many states and safety training administrations offer safety training courses at locations in various states. Workers and managers attend a class and must sit for a test at the end of the course. A passing score is generally 70 percent, and most course administrators issue a certificate of course completion.
Online Training
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Excavation safety training is available for individuals to access online. Excavation safety training is also available for online access. Individuals can sign up and complete safety training from work or home through an Internet-based course. The course offers online manuals and tests with automated scoring.
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References
- Photo Credit Hydraulic excavator at work. Shovel bucket against blue sky image by Andrei Merkulov from Fotolia.com safety? image by Robert Kelly from Fotolia.com oxygen rescue image by paul mitchell from Fotolia.com excavator image by dinostock from Fotolia.com class room image by Brett Bouwer from Fotolia.com computer image by martini from Fotolia.com
