What could be a precaution to protect employees from cave-ins during excavation?

Implementing special support systems is vital for protecting employees from cave-ins during excavation. These support systems, such as shoring or shielding, are designed to stabilize the walls of an excavation site, thereby preventing soil collapse. They are essential in ensuring the safety of workers who are working in or around the excavated area. The systems can range from basic wooden supports to advanced engineering solutions, depending on the depth and type of soil involved. Properly installed support systems significantly reduce the risk of cave-ins, which can be fatal.

While other precautions, such as providing adequate lighting, using ladders for access, and reducing equipment use, contribute to a safer excavation site, they do not directly prevent cave-ins. Adequate lighting enhances visibility, and ladders ensure safe access, but neither addresses the structural stability of the excavation itself. Reducing equipment use can minimize disturbances but does not provide a solution for potential collapses that can occur due to unsupported walls. Thus, implementing special support systems is the most effective way to safeguard workers against cave-ins.