Greatest Risks at Excavations

Construction Site Accident Claims

 

Digging deep into the ground can be dangerous, but what are the greatest risks at excavations? Whether it’s on a construction site or for utility work, there are various high level risks at play. However, the three biggest risks are collapses, falling into the excavation site and being hit by falling debris.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recently sentenced a renovation company after it found unsafe conditions on site for workers. This was during a refurbishment which involved a 2,5-metre-deep excavation of a back garden.

Injuries from cave-ins, falls or falling objects range from minor to extremely serious. If you’ve been injured on an excavation site, you may be able to make a personal injury claim. Legal safety regulations should protect workers and site visitors. But if negligence played a role in your accident which directly caused your injury, you may be entitled to compensation.

At Jefferies Claims, we partner with lawyers who work on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis and we may be able to help you.

 

Top Three Greatest Risks At Excavations

Collapses and Cave-ins

One of the major risks at an excavation site is when the walls of a trench or hole suddenly give way.  The stability of an excavation depends on factors like soil type, weather, depth, and nearby activity.

There should be proper reinforcements and support structures to prevent any possible trench collapse. Machines, traffic or construction work nearby may cause heavy vibrations. This can shake the excavation hole and result in collapse.

Rain, flooding or underground water may also weaken the walls and if the excavation is to steep and not correctly sloped, these factors also pose a danger of collapse.

Injuries from a Collapse:

Crush Injuries: Heavy soil can crush limbs or the whole body, leading to amputations or severe disabilities.

Suffocation: If someone gets completely buried, they can suffocate in minutes.

Broken Bones: Falling dirt and rocks can easily cause fractures.

Spinal Injuries: If someone gets trapped under debris, their spine damage can be severe, even potentially causing paralysis.

 

Falling Into an Excavation

Another huge risk is simply falling in. Whether it’s a worker, a pedestrian, or even equipment, falling into a trench can lead to serious injuries. The danger lies in when people may not notice the edge, especially in poor lighting or bad weather.

Excavation sites require fencing or some form of edge protection. Additionally, wet or crumbling soils near the edge can give way when stepped on. A site should also have sufficient lighting at night, while workers should not be distracted when working near the excavation edge.

Injuries from Falling In:

Head Injuries: Hitting the ground hard can cause concussions or skull fractures.

Broken Bones: Depending on the fall height, workers can suffer fractures in their legs, arms, or ribs.

Internal Damage: Falling onto hard or uneven ground can cause internal bleeding.

Spinal Injuries: A bad landing may damage the spine, leading to paralysis in severe cases.

Getting Hit by Falling Material

When working around an excavation, there’s always a risk of something falling on you. It could be soil, rocks, tools, or even construction materials. A key danger is when excavated soil or rocks are placed too close to the edge and may slide back in.

Moreover, loose soil or rocks are always a risk while excavators, cranes and other machines can dislodge material. Additionally, employees working near the edge may accidentally drop tools or other materials into the excavation hole.

Injuries from Falling Objects:

Blunt Force Trauma: Heavy objects hitting someone can cause severe bruising or crush injuries.

Head Injuries: Falling debris can lead to concussions or skull fractures if proper safety protection is not used.

Cuts and Puncture Wounds: Sharp objects falling into the hole may easily cause deep lacerations.

Fatalities: Large objects falling from height can cause serious harm or even be fatal.

Workplace Injury Advice

If you have been injured on an excavation site which resulted from employer negligence you may be able to make a personal injury claim for compensation. You will be required to show factors which may have contributed to the accident.

These may include unsafe working conditions, lack of safety precautions, or your employer or site manager failing to follow health and safety regulations. However, a third responsible party could be when another worker’s negligence led to your injury. An example of this could be an equipment operator dropping materials on you.

A claim may typically cover your medical and rehabilitation costs, loss of earnings and pain and suffering.

How to Start a Claim

If you believe you have a potential claim, you need to ensure that you report the incident immediately. You should also take photos if possible, collect witness statements and keep all medical records.

A personal injury lawyer can assess your potential claim. Reaching out to a trusted claims company can make a significant difference. At Jefferies Claims, we partner with experienced lawyers who work on a No Win, No Fee’ basis. We will ensure you receive all the support you need. Call us at 0333 358 3034 or visit Jefferies Claims Contact Page to learn more.