WorldWide Drilling Resource

Into the Trench Adapted from Information by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration The use of geothermal energy is growing rapidly throughout the United States. Some geothermal systems pump water underground through piping, allowing it to be heated by the earth, then the hot water is used to create electricity, or heat and cool buildings. Other systems drill directly into the earth’s natural geothermal reservoirs, using the resulting hot water and steam to create electricity. Workers who install, operate, or maintain geothermal systems may be exposed to excavation and trenching hazards. At times, workers may need to work near, or enter a trench to lay system piping during installation or to replace piping during maintenance. Some of the best soils for heat transfer are not the best for a stable trench, so employers must meet safety requirements while doing excavation and trenching operations. If trenches are not properly shored or otherwise protected, they can collapse rapidly, placing nearby workers in perilous situations. Excavated soil (spoils) must not be placed at the very edge of a trench because it will add to the pressure on the trench walls. The weight of the spoils can cause a cave-in, or spoils and equipment can roll back on top of workers. To prevent equipment and spoils from falling back into the excavation, use retaining devices, such as a trench box, which will extend above the top of the trench. Spoils and equipment should be set at least two feet back from the excavation. Where the site does not permit a two-foot set back, spoils may need to be temporarily hauled to another location. Excavations should be inspected before construction begins daily before each shift, and following rainstorms or other events which could create hazards. Use stairways, ladders, ramps, or other safe means of egress in all trenches which are four feet deep or more. When two or more components form a ramp or runway, they must be connected to prevent displace- ment, and be of uniform thickness. Structural ramps used in place of steps must have a nonslip surface, and earthen ramps should only be used as a means of egress if a worker can walk them in an upright position. Workers installing and maintaining geothermal systems can be exposed to fall hazards when working near trenches, excavations, and pits dug for the piping systems. Guardrails or barricades may be used as a precautionary measure to keep workers away from an open trench. When workers are exposed to fall distances of six feet or more, they must be protected by using a guardrail, safety net, or per- sonal fall arrest systems. Open the Doorway to all the Event Photos during the NDA Buckeye Expo. To see all the photos from this event, go to: www.worldwidedrillingresource.com or click here. Feel free to download at will and print the photo(s) of your choice. Compliments of WorldWide Drilling Resource ® . Photos are copyrighted and released for personal use only - no commercial use permitted. Don’t miss the best deal of the year - our annual Buyers Meet Sellers issue! Deadline: October 10 th 16 OCTOBER 2017 WorldWide Drilling Resource ®