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Date: | Wed, 31 Aug 1994 12:19:43 -0700 |
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Jack H. Stewart writes:
"After seeing the request for information on privies, I thought I'd write in. I
am about to begin an investigation at one of our local Civil War Battlefields.
This may include the excavation of a cistern/well. Does anyone have any
information on the best way to go about this?"
The excavation of a well is _extremely_ hazardous.
Will the anticipated information be worth risking someone's life to retrieve it?
The following discussion is NOT that of an expert. You should seek the advice
from an expert as well as structural and soils engineers before attempting it.
I take no responsibility for anyone who uses the following information. If you
use any of this information you do so at your own risk. I am simply passing on
information and ideas which have been presented elsewhere in formal and
informal discussions.
One approach is to put four foot diameter reinforced concrete or metal culvert
sections over it, excavate a slightly larger hole and have the section slide
down gradually around the well casing outside, and dismantle the well as you
go. You keep adding sections as needed. You would need a backhoe or crane to
lift the sections into place. I have never done this. I frankly doubt if you
can legally do this under OSHA requirements. Call your state OSHA or federal
OSHA to find out the best person within their organization with whom to
correspond. Get their opinion in writing. By doing so, you will have been
pro-active and if an accident occurs you may have a chance to stay out of jail.
Be sure and get lots of liability insurance too.
An alternative is to excavate a huge area around it and step trench it down.
Depending upon soil type, you might get by with a 45 degree slope or step
trench to approximate that slope. Thus, a 20 foot deep well would require at
least a 40 x 40 foot excavation to maintain the needed slope/stepping, while a
40 foot well would need an area 80x80 feet. The other alternative is to use
massive shoring. It is feasible, but you may not want the headache. You will
need to hire a structural engineer and soil engineer to evaluate the soils and
design the shoring.
You will need sealed outdoor electrical lights which have been installed using a
ground fault interruptor to lessen electrocution hazards. You will need an
electrical pump designed for lifting water. If you use gasoline generators or
pumps have them located a long distance away to keep the carbon monoxide fumes
away from the pits. Have an emergency plan in writing and it should include
contacting local emergency services. Have a carbon monoxide monitor with an
alarm in the well and with a remote alarm. Keep an oxygen tank at the site.
This discussion is not meant to be all inclusive of everything you need to know
or present all alternatives, it is merely a starting point so that you can
think about it before you contact the experts.
My personal opinion is that deep wells, in most circumstances, are best left
alone.
William H. Adams
P.O. Box 1177
Philomath, OR 97370-1177 USA
503-929-3102 -3264 fax
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