By Doug Riseden, HYMAX Technical Support Manager

Many times, workers will want to get the job done quickly and skip some steps. This is understandable but it’s important to remind them to slow down, and work more cautiously than they usually do during the day. Even if they are very familiar with performing certain repairs, dark areas and shadows can hinder their perception of risk.

Planning and communication become crucial during night time operations. Before the job starts, supervisors should have a brief meeting to ensure all team members understand what will take place at the work site, what their role is, and where they will be located throughout the night. Plan your work and work your plan!

Make sure everything is done with a focus on safety. This includes wearing reflective clothing in accordance with the law, and using a trench box or shoring to ensure that the trench doesn’t collapse while workers are inside. There are many who never use a trench box because it gets in the way of some repairs. At night, the use of trench boxes and shoring is even more critical. Make trench boxes a normal part of every excavation, and never put speed ahead of safety.