Engaging in a home excavation project can be an enjoyable task, especially if it’s a new addition to the property, a drainage system installation, or an external landscape renovation. An excavation project is way more than just digging dirt – it’s an operation with actual safety considerations. If you are a DIY renovatorand are going to be taking on a renovation, safety is key, and if you don’t understand the risks or follow effective practices, there may be dire consequences. Errors can cause damage to property, serious injuries, or worse, cause loss of life for you or your neighbors. This guide will take you through the basic safety steps that all homeowners need to follow prior to breaking earth.

Identifying Underground Utilities

The first safety step, before you take a shovel to the ground, is locating and marking underground utilities! Utilities such as gas lines, water pipes, sewer connections, and electrical cables can often be found only a couple of feet below the surface. Making contact with any of these utilities could possibly lead to toxic leaks, very expensive repairs, and potential outages to you and your neighbors.

In the city of Philadelphia, you should always call 811, the local “Call Before You Dig” service. Utility companies will attend your property and mark their utilities. They typically mark the utilities with spray paint or flags. Again, underground maps are sometimes not current, and even if your house was built decades ago and you consider yourself a seasoned property owner, it is best to call! Click this site for additional information.

• Call your local marking service at least three business days before starting excavation.
• Once you receive marking services or you see the utility mark-offs, do not remove the markings for any reason until your excavation project is complete.
• It is critical that you do not use heavy tools directly over utilities that are marked; please only hand dig in these areas.

Proper Trenching Techniques

If your work involves digging trenches in your project—whether for drainage pipes, foundations, or cable runs—you will want to do it safely. Trenching accidents are very common in excavation work. The majority of accidents come from trench walls caving in, and this will happen unexpectedly.

You start by planning your trench width and depth because of what you will be installing. Whatever way you choose to trench, whether using trench boxes or shoring, you want to prevent walls from collapsing, especially if you are digging more than four feet deep. Always have a safe means of access, like a ladder that is within 25 feet of workers.

When you hire companies that do excavation services Philadelphia homeowners can count on, the employees follow specific OSHA regulations. Again, the importance of proper trenching cannot be over-emphasized. Improper trenching can trap a person in seconds, and rescuing someone from a trench with caved walls is very difficult to manage.

Soil Stability Checks

The dirt in your work is not the same. Soil will settle in clay differently than it will settle in sandy soil, and both behave in different ways in wet conditions. Once you begin digging, you should do due diligence to determine what type of soil is on your property. This can prevent you from dealing with unplanned collapses of your trenches and aid you in what reinforcement to make to your trench.

Pay particular attention to soil in wet conditions, such as after heavy rain. Wet soil is heavier and will settle differently than dry soil; thus, the chance of a cave-in will increase. A professional in demolition service and debris hauling knows the value of soil testing; that said, soil testing is not just for engineers, it is a step that, even in typical backyard work, can create an opportunity to save a life.

• Conduct soil tests on several small samples from different areas of your dig site.
• Watch for signs of old fill dirt that can be lighter and less stable.
• Allow for rechecking of stability after weather events during your project.

Avoiding Heavy Equipment Accidents

If you are renting a mini excavator, skid steer, or any type of piece of equipment, do not forget these are heavy-duty pieces of machinery, and you can do a lot of damage in a matter of seconds. Accidents happen for a variety of reasons, but most often it is because the operator miscalculates the swing of the machine or tries to operate too close to an area of unstable ground.

The most important rule for operating machinery: Never let children or pets around when the equipment is in operation.

Keep a safe distance between the machine and the edge of the trench, and always park the machine on a level surface. If you are doing excavation on a property in a busy Philadelphia neighborhood, pay attention to traffic and people! Junk removal trucks, dump trailers, and hauling equipment should be parked in a manner that does not block sightlines or create hazards.

When to Call Professionals

There is nothing wrong with realizing that a job is larger than you anticipated. Excavation projects can expose hidden surprises, like buried debris, abandoned septic tanks, or hazardous materials (see this link https://www.osha.gov/chemical-hazards), that will need to be removed by a professional. In these cases, you will be glad that you called a licensed contractor that specializes in residential and commercial demolition. You will save yourself from costly mistakes and possibly serious risks.

In addition to manpower and equipment, professional crews come equipped with the right tools, safety equipment, and understanding of local regulations. From extensive deep digs, complicated utility relocations, and the large-scale hauling of debris, expert crews can provide value and peace of mind to ensure that you are protecting your property and your safety.

If you are able to follow these recommendations, you will mitigate the risks and improve your chances of getting your excavation project completed without major problems. Safety does not slow you down; it ensures that you can complete your project without injury, damage, or delays. And if you have any questions or concerns, always lean on the experience of those that do excavation and hauling for a living.