Buried Alive!
 To be buried alive must be one of the worst possible ways to die! Although excavation collapses are 100% preventable, it still occurs on a regular basis within the South African construction industry. Another life was recently claimed in this manner when an excavation collapsed on a site in Umhlanga.
This basic legal check will assist Members in doing a quick, yet accurate check, to see if they comply with requirements prescribed in the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 85 of 1993 related to Excavations.
- *Competent person appointed in writing to examine and inspect all excavations
- Method statement developed by a competent person where explosives are used
- Excavations inspected before every shift, after rain, after blasting, ground fall and after damage
- Register up to date and available on site
If in any doubt, consult a *competent person to make the call whether to brace, shore or to cut the soil back to its natural angle of repose.
Competent person - means a person having the knowledge, training, experience and qualifications specific to the work or task being performed.
Neels Nortje | Health and Safety Manager |
