LANDSCAPE ONTARIO – WORKPLACE SAFETY TAILGATE TALKS
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EXCAVATIONS
Personal Protective Equipment
Equipment Hazards
!
One cubic metre of earth weighs about the same as a compact
car and is enough to crush and suffocate an average person.
!
A worker does not have to be completely buried in soil to be
seriously injured or killed. A cave-in can suffocate you in less
than three minutes – and even if you survive, your internal
organs may be badly injured.
Prevention Points
Removing earth from the ground can create a situation where
extreme pressure can be put on the walls of the excavation with
no supporting material. Excavations in or near "back-filled" or
previously excavated areas are especially dangerous since the
soil can be still "loose" and may not support itself well. Water can
increase the possibility of a cave in.
Review the General Health & Safety Best Practices section on
page 11 before performing any task.
