Pile driving

Pile driving is a task where piles are driven into, jacked, screwed or removed from the ground. Piles are used to support foundations or secure excavations. Piles are usually driven into position by a crane with a mounted pile hammer.

Part 24 – Pile Driving of the Workplace Safety and Health Regulation (WSH Regulation) provides minimum requirements for driving or removing piles. Safe work procedures must be developed and in place before any work is done. Safe work procedures need to include transporting piles and procedures to hoist and drive them. Specific concerns that must be addressed when developing safe work practices and procedures include the following:

• Operators must not hoist piles in the leads when workers who are not directly involved with the pile-driving operation are on the pile-driving equipment or within range of the pile if it falls.
• Workers are not allowed to remain on or ride on a load being moved, raised or lowered by pile driving equipment.
• Workers must be protected from risk should a pile shatter when being struck.
• Pile heads must be trimmed to fit the follower on a pile driving cap.
• Support piles and sheet piles must be adequately supported to prevent uncontrolled movement.
• A ladder system must be used by a worker who is required to climb on a lead.
• The pile hammer must be secured when the equipment is not in operation.

A pile (or caisson) is a slender, deep foundation unit made of wood, steel, concrete, or a combination of these materials, which is pre-manufactured and placed by driving, jacking, screwing, or cast in place in a hole formed by driving, excavation or boring.

A lead is a wood or steel frame with one or two parallel members for guiding the hammer or piles in the correct alignment.

Some common types of pile hammers include drop hammers, single-acting steam, compressed-air or diesel hammers, double-acting steam, compressed-air, or diesel hammers, vibratory hammers and hydraulic hammers.