Emergency Procedures for Trenching Cave-in

Emergency Procedures for Trenching Cave-in

 

Emergency telephone numbers — ambulance, fire, police, local utilities, senior management, Ministry of Labor — should be posted in the field office for quick reference.

 

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If someone is seriously injured, take the following steps.

1) Protect the area from hazards.

2) Prevent further injury to the casualty.

3) Administer first aid.

4) Call an ambulance or rescue unit.

5) Have someone direct the ambulance or rescue unit to the accident scene.

 

All projects must have a person qualified and certified to provide first aid.

 

Atmospheric Gas Testing - AGT

Cave-ins

It is natural to try to rescue casualties caught or buried by a cave-in. But care must be taken to prevent injury and death to rescuers, whether from a further cave-in or other hazards.

 

The following procedures may be suitable, depending on conditions.

1) To get down to the casualty, use a tarpaulin, fencing, plywood, or similar

material that can cover the ground and will ride up over any further cave-in.

2) Sometimes a further cave-in can be prevented by placing a backhoe bucket

against the suspected area or excavating it.

3) Rescue workers should enter the trench with ropes and wear rescue harnesses if

possible.

4) To prevent further injury, remove the casualty by stretcher whenever possible.

Tarps or ladders can be used as a makeshift stretcher.

5) Stabilize the casualty.

 

Fire Prevention for Construction Site

Breathing — Ensure that the casualty is breathing. If not, open the airway and start artificial respiration immediately. Mouth-to-mouth is the most efficient method.

 

Bleeding — Control external bleeding by applying direct pressure, placing the casualty in a comfortable position, and elevating the injured part if possible.

 

Unconsciousness — This is a priority because it may lead to breathing problems. An unconscious person may suffocate when left lying face up. If injuries permit, unconscious persons who must be left unattended should be placed in the recovery position.

 

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