Hydro excavation is becoming an increasingly popular method of digging because it is efficient and safe. However, in order to ensure safety while using this method, it is important to follow some basic safety tips.
The good news is that creating a safety plan doesn’t have to be difficult. In this article, we will discuss the most important hydro excavation safety tips that you need to know.
Make Sure You Locate all Underground Utilities
Before you begin hydro excavation, it is important to make sure that all underground utilities are located and marked.
Hydro excavation can be very dangerous when working around buried utility lines. This is because the high-pressure water can cause damage to these lines or cause them to break. Hydro excavating near a gas line could even result in an explosion.
It is also important that you have permission from the owner of a utility before digging around their property. This will prevent any disputes in case there was damage done during your work.
Use the Right Signage to Prevent Accidents
In order for hydro excavation safety to be maintained, it is important that you use the proper signage and flagging.
We recommend using a three-foot fence or caution tape around the work area. This is so people will not get too close and possibly injure themselves with equipment or materials. You should also make sure there are no overhead hazards like power lines in case something falls off during excavation.
If someone does become injured due to negligence on your part then they may have grounds for legal action against you. Using the right signage will help prevent accidents and reduce your liability.
Make Sure Your Workers Are Well-Trained
To maintain a safe work environment, you should make sure that all of your employees are well-trained before beginning any project.
It is important to train each person on their specific job duties. This is so they know how to handle themselves in dangerous situations. These include working around high-voltage equipment or hazardous chemicals.
You can also provide them with information about other hazards such as asbestos or radioactive waste sites.
Train Hydro Excavation Workers for Emergencies
Some people think that hydro excavation safety training only includes making sure everyone knows what kind of signs are posted.
But, in reality, emergency training for hydro excavation workers should be more comprehensive than that.
Your employees should know what to do in case of an accident or if someone gets injured. They should also be familiar with the safety procedures for their specific job. This is so they can help keep everyone safe during excavations in digging trucks.
Watch Out for Overhead Wires
Overhead wires can be a hazard when excavating, so it’s important to keep an eye out for them. Hydro excavation safety is also about keeping your employees safe from overhead hazards. This includes power lines or tree branches that may fall on top of workers while they’re digging underground utilities.
If you notice any overhead hazards in the area where you plan to excavate, contact your local utility company immediately. Let them know what type of work will be done before starting any work near those areas. This way, there won’t be any surprises when excavating starts up again later this year.
Use the Right Water Pressure and Nozzles
Hydro excavation is a very effective way to excavate soil, but it can also be dangerous if the water pressure and nozzles are not used correctly.
When using hydro excavation tools, make sure you use the right water pressure for the job at hand. You don’t want to use too much pressure or you could damage underground utilities or even cause an explosion.
You should also use the correct nozzle size for your excavator. A nozzle that is too large will decrease the accuracy of your work and a nozzle that is too small will not provide enough power to get the job done properly.
Take Precautions When Working With Chemicals
Hydro excavation often uses chemicals like detergents and other cleaning agents. Hydro excavation safety is also about taking precautions when working with chemicals like these because they could potentially be dangerous if not handled properly.
You should wear protective clothing when handling any type of chemical as well as gloves and eye protection such as goggles or a face shield to protect your eyes from splashes while mixing them together in containers before applying them onto surfaces.
Be Aware of the Weather
The weather can also be a hazard when working with hydro excavation tools.
You should always be aware of the forecasted weather conditions before starting any project and take appropriate safety precautions if necessary. For example, if there is a high chance of severe thunderstorms in the area, you may want to postpone your excavation work until it’s safe to resume.
Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Hydro excavation safety is also about wearing personal protective equipment.
You should wear a hard hat, steel-toed boots, long pants, and sleeves if possible while working with hydro excavation tools as well as in case of any falling debris from above ground level (such as tree branches).
Follow the Instructions From the Manufacturer
When using hydro excavation tools, always follow the instructions from the manufacturer.
This will help ensure that everyone is safe while excavating and that you are using the equipment in the correct way.
Hire a Hydro Excavation Company
Hydro excavation safety is also about hiring a hydro excavation company. If you want to ensure that your excavations are done safely and correctly, it’s important to hire an experienced team of professionals who know what they’re doing. This is so that everyone stays safe throughout the entire process from start to finish.
Learn More Safety Tips
It’s very important to develop a hydro excavation safety plan. This way, you can keep your workers safe and create an efficient working environment.
Do you want to learn more worker safety tips? If so, check out our blog for more helpful articles.
