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Are Trench Excavations Confined Spaces? Part II

The answer to this question is not as transparent as you may think. Let´s review OSHA´s definition of trench excavation.
 
By OSHA´s definition, a trench excavation means;
 backhoe digging•         A narrow excavation (in relation to its length) made below the surface of the ground. In general, the depth is greater than the width, but the width of a trench (measured at the bottom) is not greater than 15 feet. If forms or other structures are installed or constructed in an excavation so as to reduce the dimension measured from the forms or structure to the side of the excavation to 15 feet or less (measured at the bottom of the excavation), the excavation is also considered to be a trench.
 
After reading the definition, a trench excavation certainly seems to meet the confined space criteria.

Safety

Are Trench Excavations Confined Spaces?

The answer to this question is not as transparent as you may think. Let´s review OSHA´s definition of confined spaces.
 
By OSHA´s definition, a confined space is:
 
•    Large enough and so configured that an employee can enter and perform assigned work;
•    Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit;
•    Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.

 
Confined spaces come in many forms.
Examples of confined spaces are:

manholes, crawl spaces, tunnels, tanks, trenches, silo, pipeline, etc.

Remedial Construction Services, L.P. (RECON)

Safety

Managing Medical Incidents

safetyfirstBy becoming actively involved in the case management of an incident from the start of the job through the conclusion of the job will help RECON and our coworkers develop a knowledgeable, concerned and caring attitude toward the prevention of injury, but if an injury would occur – we are prepared to act quickly and decisively to render the best possible care with the best possible outcome for our employees!


What first aids, injury cases or incidents have you been involved in the past (RECON or other companies)?

Was it a successful case management or was it allowed to take on a life of its own?

Safety

Daily Equipment Inspections

 fireextinguisher

Equipment inspections are a daily requirement of all operators before beginning work each day.  Why do we do these inspections daily?  We do them to identify hazards, accident potentials, and equipment damage.  When inspecting equipment every morning we can find potentials of leaks, equipment damage, etc.  All RECON equipment also has Standard Equipment Safety Features that need to be in working order before we begin work each day.  They are: backup alarms, fire extinguishers, horn and seat belt.  We also do equipment inspections to keep from having prolonged down time due to equipment damage.  Not having properly operating equipment has the potential to cost the company increased financial repairs and down time.  This in turn cost the project money and possibility of not meeting projected completion time of project.  Lets do our part by inspecting our equipment prior to starting work and not just checking boxes on a checklist.  If faulty equipment is found, report immediately to your supervisor.

Safety

Save your Back, Lift in a Pack

Each day in some form or fashion you do lifting on the jobsite and/or at home. Lifting safely is one the most important things you can do to protect your back, not only for today, but also throughout your lifetime.  We all know that we are supposed to get help for loads weighing more than 50lbs, but a great deal of injuries also occur from employees trying to handle awkwardly shaped,  sized or unbalanced objects. Here are some pointers for dealing with those:
Use Two-Person Lifts for Large or Awkward Loads

saveyourback
For a safe, correct, two-person lift:
•    Work with a person about your height.
•    Decide in advance which person will direct the move.
•    Keeping knees bent and back straight, lift and raise the load together.
•    Move smoothly together as you carry, keeping the load at the same level.
•    Unload at the same time, keeping knees bent. 


Grip Properly to Lift Objects with Awkward Shapes
•    Squat next to the object, with your feet spread shoulder width apart.
•    Grip the object at the top outside corner and the bottom inside corner.
•    Lift properly and slowly, with knees bent and back straight. 


Get in Position to Lift from a Hard to Get At Location
•    Stand as close as possible to the object.
•    Bend forward slightly at the hips, and push your buttocks out behind you.
•    Bend your knees, keeping your back straight and stomach muscles tight.
•    Grip the object firmly.
•    Lift so your leg, stomach, and buttock muscles do the work–not your back.

Safety

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