Do you need to excavate a construction site? Perhaps you want to build a foundation, road, or create a landscape. The excerpt below discusses the various considerations you should make when planning and executing excavation works. 

Site Inspection

Conduct a soil test to identify what kind of soil you will be excavating. If you intend to excavate a few metres below the ground, you may need an expert to examine the presence of rocks and underground water reservoirs. The site inspection will help you prepare for excavation works. For instance, how will excavators access the site? It is a critical consideration when working in constricted spaces such as residential plots. Identify the location of underground drainage, gas and water pipes. You could risk on-site accidents if you damage these lines. During the site inspection, examine the need for extra works such as demolition and uprooting trees. 

Choose a Suitable Excavator

The excavator you choose should be suitable for the intended works. For instance, skid steer and backhoe loaders are ideal for small projects such as constructing driveways or home drainage systems. Crawler excavators run on tracks. They are suitable for large-scale works such as mining, digging dams or building bridges. Suction excavators are used for underground projects such as digging sewer lines. Long-reach excavators have a long boom. As such, they can be used to dig deep tunnels and foundations. 

You may need different kinds of buckets at the site. These include digging buckets to scoop soil and V buckets for rocks. A riddle bucket is perfect for ripping soil and rocks. Other attachments you need include augers, clamps and breakers. 

Safety During Excavation

Below are some safety tips to observe during excavation:

Inspect the equipment before commencing excavation works. The engines, tracks, braking, electrical and hydraulic systems should be in good condition.

Plant operators and workers at the site should have personal protective clothing.

Do not use excavators during poor weather such as rains and storms.

Plant operators should be aware of their blind spots. It helps prevent accidents on site.

Do not use excavator buckets to lift employees.

Your employees should have emergency contacts such as the ambulance and the local fire department.  

As a contractor, you must have a general liability cover to provide compensation in case of accidents at the site. All subcontractors should have insurance coverage. 

Planning and executing excavation works could not be any easier. Conduct a site inspection, choose a suitable excavator and observe the recommended excavation safety tips. Reach out to an excavation services contractor for more information.