6 Ways to Improve Dig Safety
Safe digging is not just a precaution; it’s a pathway to savings and efficiency. As the leader in safe digging and hydro excavation, the TRUVAC team of experts breaks down six ways to improve dig safety:
1) Call Before Digging: Always call 811 before starting to dig. This national hotline will inform utility and construction workers about the underground utilities in the area, helping avoid costly or dangerous mistakes.
“Every contractor has the responsibility to dig safely and to not only keep workers and those nearby safe, but to also keep the infrastructure and existing utilities safe,” said Jason Boer, Midwest regional sales manager, TRUVAC. “Vacuum excavation is the preferred method for exposing subsurface utilities, and it’s the safe digging method that TRUVAC delivers.”
2) Train Employees: Once the proper representatives of the utility companies have inspected and marked the proposed dig site, it’s time to dig. But first, employees should understand what the colors of flags mean. For example, red is electric and yellow is gas while orange is communications and green is sewer. It’s important that employees understand these signals as well as proper operation for all digging equipment.
3) Use Hydro Excavation: Hydro Excavation has transformed the way soil is moved. It allows for safer and more efficient worksites by using high pressure water combined with vacuum excavation to remove soil and debris.
“The main benefit of hydro excavation is safety,” said Jordan Koster, Gulf Coast regional sales manager, TRUVAC. “If following the Gas Technology Institute’s Best Practices of Hydro Excavation, the risks are all but eliminated. Instead of blindly sticking a sharp metal object in the ground, you are using pressurized water. This minimizes the risk of damaging buried utilities.”
4) Invest in Precision: Hydro excavation provides unprecedented precision, vastly reducing the risk of damage to the surrounding area and existing underground infrastructure. This precision mitigates the hazard of utility damage and trench collapses – common concerns with traditional excavation methods.
“The TRUVAC FLXX is a great example of precision in action,” said Bob Pflibsen, North Central regional sales manager, TRUVAC. “It provides that performance and productivity in a maneuverable package. That precision in tight spaces is extremely important.”
5) Promote Worker Safety: By using pressurized water and remote-operated vacuum systems, workers maintain a safe distance from the excavation site, reducing the potential for accidents. The reduction in reliance on heavy machinery decreases the likelihood of falling debris and other common risks associated with traditional excavation work.
6) Choose TRUVAC Equipment: TRUVAC’s line of hydrovac trucks are designed to satisfy safety requirements. Every truck comes standard with patented DigRight® Technology, which was designed for making a user-friendly way to adhere to industry standards regarding water pressure and best practices.
“Safe digging is smart digging, and with TRUVAC, it pays to be safe,” said Andy Hearrell, Southeast regional dealer manager, TRUVAC. “Plus, DigRight saves fuel and money by eliminating wasted energy while also preventing wear and tear on check, unloader and relief valves by avoiding bypassing water.”
Following these steps ensures a safer, more efficient future of excavation where the power of water carves out a legacy of both safety and savings. To learn more, visit TRUVAC.com.
