Verifying Utilities and Working Safely with Vacuum Excavation
With congested underground easements and roadways, it is becoming increasingly important to visually identify the location of underground utilities, including gas, fiber, water, telecommunications, and sewer lines, to prevent accidental utility strikes. Before digging for a new utility line, a call must be placed to 811 so existing utilities can be marked. However, on almost every utility job, the contractor must expose any buried lines that a new installation may cross to help avoid unknowingly striking an existing utility. Using a compact excavator or a shovel to expose the line could also damage a utility. To reduce the risk of damaging existing underground utilities, contractors and municipalities have started using vacuum excavators.
Vacuum excavation is a non-destructive digging method that uses high-pressure air or water to break up soil, which is then vacuumed into a debris tank. This technique is particularly useful for exposing underground utilities and pipelines. This soft dig process helps protect existing infrastructure while crews efficiently locate buried utilities. The precision and control offered by vacuum excavators allows operators to excavate around sensitive underground infrastructure. The ability to precisely direct the air or water stream allows only the targeted area to be disturbed.
Digging by hand is labor-intensive, and loading and hauling a compact excavator or backhoe to a site is time-consuming and challenging to set up. Truck and trailer vacuum excavators are quick to deploy and don’t require the same manual labor as digging with a shovel. This precise digging method allows for a smaller jobsite footprint because operators can dig deep without having to dig wide. Maintaining a clean jobsite is efficient with a vacuum excavator because excavated material is hauled away. That means the streetscape stays clean and there’s less material runoff that could clog storm drains and street gutters. Remediation efforts are minor compared to what they would be with traditional digging methods. Depending on the jobsite, some utility companies and municipalities may only allow soft-digging methods, such as vacuum excavation, when working near existing underground infrastructure.
From method to mindset: A focus on safety
Vacuum excavators have earned a reputation as an effective alternative to traditional methods of exposing buried utilities in the underground construction industry. While this soft excavation method can help reduce the risk of damaging underground infrastructure, there are a few safety guidelines that workers need to follow to keep themselves and the people around them safe when working with vacuum excavators.
A commitment to safety: How to do the work
The most important step that any equipment operator can follow is educating and training themselves on the proper way to operate a machine. It is also important for anyone operating a vacuum excavator to review the operator’s manual ahead of time and walk around the machine to review any safety decals. Making time for the operator to understand how everything works is vital for safe operations.
Start with the proper personal protective equipment (PPE)
With vacuum excavators, PPE requirements can vary based on the type of system being used and the working environment. Operators need to make sure they are wearing the appropriate boots, eye protection, gloves, a hard hat, earplugs and reflective clothing. Always wear a hard hat, safety shoes, hearing protection and wraparound eye protection or goggles. Other workers in the immediate area must also wear the same protection. A face shield is advised when excavating near loose materials. Additionally, loose clothing should never be worn near a suction hose, and long hair should always be pulled back and secured.
When vacuum excavating at a site where electric utilities are present, the operator and anyone standing on the ground during vacuum excavation near energized power lines, must wear electrically insulated gloves and boots. Rubber electrically insulated gloves, when in good condition and correctly used, help protect against electrical burns. Boots must also meet or exceed electrical hazard protection requirements.
Follow jobsite safety procedures
In addition to making sure every operator is properly trained, several other safety guidelines should be reviewed and followed on every job.
Know the surroundings: Vac operators need to make sure they inspect the jobsite to ensure all utilities have been located and any above-ground or in-the-air obstacles have been accounted for. When working near roadways or busy sidewalks, safety cones and appropriate signage should always be used. Also, all open holes need to be fenced off or covered when work isn’t currently being done.
Maintain a safe distance during operations: It is important to maintain a safe distance whenever the vacuum excavator’s tank door is open — no one should be standing near the rear of the machine. Also, operators need to make sure they don’t get too close to open holes since cave-ins are possible in this line of work. Operators also need to keep their limbs away from the front of the water or air wand and the vacuum hose nozzle.
Avoid using more pressure than needed: Whether using a hydro or air vacuum, applying too much pressure can damage utility lines.
Performing routine maintenance and daily walkarounds of equipment can go a long way in identifying and correcting any issues before they become a safety hazard.
Travel safely between jobs
Just as important as maintaining a safe jobsite, safety needs to be the top priority when traveling between jobs or back and forth to dump sites.
Know the law: Whether operating a trailer-mounted, truck-mounted or PTO truck vacuum excavator, operators need to make sure they understand all state and local Department of Transportation (DOT) load restrictions and have the appropriate permits and licenses.
Keep it clean and organized: Jobsites can be muddy, and sometimes not everything gets put back where it’s supposed to go on the truck or trailer. Operators should do a quick-walk around to ensure everything is secure and clean. Loose rocks or tools can become dangerous projectiles at travel speeds.
Double-check trailer hookups: Before leaving a job, make sure the trailer lights are working and the trailer is secured to the truck. Trailer safety chains need to be crossed under the hitch and attached to the truck.
Check for obstacles when backing up: When it is time to dump, drivers should make sure a safe distance is maintained from the pit and from electrical lines that could come in contact with the tank when it’s raised to dump.
Proper training and making sure everyone working around vacuum excavators follows these tips will help keep everyone safe on the job.
A better way to dig
The ability to quickly and effectively remove dirt and debris is important to contractors and municipalities, and the use of vacuum excavators is on the rise not only out of necessity but also viability. However, the true efficiency and productivity of this method is only realized when paired with a commitment to safe work practices. Proper training and making sure everyone working around vacuum excavators follows established safety procedures will help keep everyone safe on the job, making vacuum excavation a better way to dig in many environments.
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