Many types of electrical jobs involved trenching. This can range from hand-shoveling a minor trench for burying a bonding conductor between ground rods to using a large machine to create a long, deep trench for burying power cables. Follow these safety tips when performing these activities:
• Before going to the job site, make sure you have the phone numbers of the gas, water, and electric companies.
• When arriving at the job site, look for the buried cable markings and flags. You should see different indicators for each type of buried utility (communications, power, gas, water). If any are missing, resolve the discrepancy before starting work.
• Make sure the buried utility survey area includes the entire area where you will be trenching.
• If trenching in an easement next to a road, erect safety barriers. Too many drivers are distracted these days and someone texting while behind the wheel can easily veer off the road.
• Wear your safety glasses. Some people believe that if you’re outside there’s no eye danger. The reality is very different.
