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SAFETY MOMENT, MARCH 7

Respect thawing ground and wet trenches

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Safety moment, March 7

Respect thawing ground and wet trenches

Spring brings thawing ground, heavy rain, sudden storms and a busy schedule all at once. Soil that held firm all winter can turn soft, trenches can fill with water, and winter damage shows up on ladders, scaffolds and equipment. Many crews add new and returning workers in spring, so it is a good time to reset habits.

SAFETY MOMENT

March 7

The hazard

Spring brings thawing ground, heavy rain, sudden storms and a busy schedule all at once. Soil that held firm all winter can turn soft, trenches can fill with water, and winter damage shows up on ladders, scaffolds and equipment. Many crews add new and returning workers in spring, so it is a good time to reset habits.

The action

Thawing, soaked soil gets soft, and trench walls and spoil piles can give way. When workers can be expected to be exposed, a competent person must inspect excavations daily before work starts, and again after every rainstorm or other event that increases the hazard (29 CFR 1926.651(k)(1)). Stay out of a wet trench until it has been checked. (29 CFR 1926.651(k)(1))

ASK THE CREW

Has anyone seen ticks, snakes, wasp nests or poison ivy around here yet?

From the talk: Spring safety. Read it in full, free, with the questions and the sign-in sheet.

HOW TO USE IT

How to give a safety moment

  1. Gather the crew where they work, before the shift or the meeting starts. Read the hazard out loud.
  2. Ask the question and let two or three people answer. What they say about their own work counts for more than what you read.
  3. Name the action and point to one place on today's job where it applies, so everyone knows what to do differently.
  4. Write the date and the names on a sign-in sheet.

A safety moment is short and does not replace the full talk. When you want to go through a topic with the crew, pick a free toolbox talk.

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