Final answer:
When excavating, the safety distance for soil and equipment from the edge depends on factors like excavation depth and soil type, with newer recommendations suggesting up to 8 diameters away side-to-side and 15 diameters deep for stability and safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
When excavating, the distance that soil and equipment must be kept from the edge is critical for safety and stability. The right distance depends on various factors such as the depth of the excavation, the soil type, and the equipment used. An older 'rule of thumb' was 5 diameters side-to-side and 7-8 diameters deep, yet this may no longer be adequate. More recent recommendations suggest that materials may need to be placed as much as 8 diameters away from the side and 15 diameters from the deep edge of an excavation. This ensures stability and helps prevent hazards like collapse or equipment toppling into the excavation.
The size of the equipment used relative to the size of the excavation is another important factor in determining safety distances. Larger and heavier equipment will require a greater safety margin than smaller, lighter equipment. Additionally, the intensity of edge effects can vary; for instance, in environmental contexts, the edge effects can have a considerable impact over a significant distance. The concept of edge effects, although originally from ecology, can also apply to soil mechanics and excavation practices.