343 Madison Avenue
Forest Electric has a new job at 343 Madison Avenue. This is a job that is being built out of the ground. We have a lot of excavation work. We are not very accustomed to the hazards associated with trenches and excavations, so we have to pay extra attention to the hazards present in this job. The new construction project at 343 Madison Avenue in New York City involves a 49-story, 982,000-square-foot office tower being developed by Boston Properties (BXP).
This project is particularly notable as it’s being built on an MTA-owned site and will include a direct entrance to the Grand Central Station Long Island Rail Road concourse. Despite a sluggish office market, BXP is moving forward with the development, potentially without a committed anchor tenant. The GC is responsible for most of the safety requirements but we must be aware regardless.
Some safety regulations the GC must make sure they are the following include protective systems, access/egress, atmospheric testing, and preventing falls and cave-ins. A “competent person” must inspect the site daily and after any event that could alter conditions. Trenches five feet or deeper require a protective system (sloping, shoring, or benching) unless a competent person determines it’s not needed based on soil conditions.
Ladders, stairs, ramps, or other safe means of egress are required for trenches four feet or deeper, within 25 feet of workers. Trenches greater than four feet deep must be tested for low oxygen, hazardous fumes, and toxic gases. Workers must be protected from falling objects and materials, and equipment must be kept away from trench edges.
Spoil and materials must be kept at least two feet back from the trench edge. A competent person must inspect trenches daily and after rain or other events that could affect stability. A designated individual with the knowledge and authority to identify hazards and take corrective action. Sloping or benching must be done according to OSHA guidelines (e.g., maximum 1 1/2:1 slope for Type C soil). Procedures for removing or controlling standing water must be in place.
Contributed by John Lambertson, Forest Electric Safety Manager, CSP, DOB SSM