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Smallwood, J J (2010) Excavation health and safety (H&S): a South African perspective. In: Egbu, C (Ed.), Proceedings 26th Annual ARCOM Conference, 6-8 September 2010, Leeds, UK. Association of Researchers in Construction Management, Vol. 1, 233–41.

  • Type: Conference Proceedings
  • Keywords: excavations; health and safety
  • ISBN/ISSN: 978-0-9552390-4-5
  • URL: http://www.arcom.ac.uk/-docs/proceedings/ar2010-0233-0241_Smallwood.pdf
  • Abstract:
    A range of H&S hazards exist relative to excavations. Furthermore, excavations occur in the elements and are exposed to a range of non-activity influences such as passing vehicles. Excavations also impact on the stability of adjacent structures and buildings, and temporary plant. International research indicates the primary barriers to excavation H&S to be: casual attitude; failure to provide trench protection; lack of daily inspections by competent persons; lack of training; inadequate enforcement, and costs. The paper reports on a study conducted among excavation H&S seminar delegates using a structured questionnaire. Selected findings include: barricading is ranked first in terms of the frequency interventions are undertaken relative to excavations, and scientific design of shoring last; relative to excavations the South African construction industry is rated below average relative to geo-technical reports, training, education, design of shoring, and culture; the South African construction industry is rated marginally below average in terms of excavation H&S, time pressure predominates in terms of barriers to excavation H&S; excavation H&S requires a multi-stakeholder effort, and excavation H&S training predominates in terms of the extent interventions could contribute to an improvement in excavation H&S. Conclusions include: a scientific approach is not adopted relative to excavation H&S; a multi-stakeholder effort is required, and education and training is a pre-requisite for improving excavation H&S.