Safe Ground Disturbance: What You Need to Know

Excavation, trenching, and drilling can have serious consequences for underground infrastructure and worker safety. Here is what safe ground disturbance takes.

Ground disturbance activities such as excavation, trenching, and drilling can have serious consequences for underground infrastructure and human safety. For anyone responsible for health and safety, knowing the best practices for ground disturbance - and putting them to work - is part of the job.

Why it matters

Ground disturbance incidents account for a meaningful share of workplace fatalities in Canada, and a large share of all incidents involving underground infrastructure are caused by ground disturbance activity. A single misstep during trenching can cause a cave-in that puts workers at risk of serious injury or death. Ground disturbance can also disrupt water, gas, and electrical services, causing public inconvenience and costly repairs.

Practical solutions for ground disturbance

• Training: a Ground Disturbance 201 course gives workers in-depth knowledge of the best practices and industry standards so they can carry out the work safely.
• Conduct a site assessment: before any ground disturbance, identify potential hazards and underground infrastructure using locating equipment or by consulting local utility companies.
• Develop a ground disturbance plan: a detailed plan should outline the scope of work, the potential hazards, emergency procedures, and the contact information for local utility companies.
• Use protective equipment: hard hats, high-visibility clothing, and safety glasses protect workers from the hazards of the job site.
• Run regular refresher training: regular refreshers keep workers current on the latest best practices and standards.

Best practices in action

Proper training and a real plan prevent incidents. A construction company in British Columbia put a comprehensive ground disturbance plan in place, with regular training for its crews, and avoided ground disturbance incidents while protecting both its workers and the public. A utility company in Alberta discovered an underground gas line during a routine site assessment, and because a thorough plan was in place, the crew was able to halt work, contact the utility, and avoid a strike.

Ground disturbance can pose significant hazards if it is not properly managed. By following best practices and industry standards, training crews, and conducting site assessments, you keep workers, the public, and underground infrastructure safe.