How To Protect Work In Trench and Pit Excavations



Posted: Friday, August 07, 2009

by Andrew Karundu
http://www.karundu.com

Excavations on a site are carried out for many structures. This include foundation walls, columns, ground beams and basements. This work is done using widths and depths shown in the drawings for the intended structure on site. When the work is underway, care is taken to stop the sides from collapsing. When working in the trench or pits, its important to keep away falling materials. The work should be protected by use of hoarding around the excavations.

Excavations should be free from water during construction work. The use of a water pump will assist in draining any water logged in the trench. When the work is carried out in loose soils or great depths, sides should be supported. This keeps the trenches or pits clear of falling materials. The method used is the planking and strutting sides of trenches or pits. When this is carried out, it keeps the workers safe from falling debris or materials in trenches.

The protection of excavated sides starts by erecting timber supports in the trenches. This are straight members of eight by one inches running along the length of the pit. These are timber planks. They should hold the sides lengthwise. They are to be laid in distances of three feet from the trench bottom. The planks should be eighteen feet long maximum. The spacing from one to another being two feet. Ensure they span across where the soil is weak.

The Excavated trench uses members of four by two inches to span across the width. This are the struts. They should be used to squeeze the planks firmly against the trench sides. This are placed at intervals of ten feet apart. This distance provides the space for working in the trench. To keep the joints tight, wedges are driven in between the planks and struts. As the erection of work comes up they are removed. This continues until the work is complete.

Andrew Karundu Is A Building Economist, Providing Home Based Solutions To Fixing, Repairing, Remodeling And Redesigning Homes. He Uses Simple Tried And Tested Methods To Improve Family Lifestyles.Visit His Site Here For Adequate Information On Most HOME IMPROVEMENT SOLUTIONS .

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