Peat Removal Safety
Peat may be extracted for one of two reasons: to allow workers and machines to reach deeper resources, or to be processed and sold as fuel. Although the environmental impact of these processes is now being questioned, both remain as essential as they are dangerous. Especially in those cases where peat removal is done manually, it is imperative that workers are properly trained in order to avoid on-site accidents.
Potential Hazards
The safety risks most commonly associated with peat removal include:
Peat Landslides.
Even after it is partially dried, peat is a relatively volatile resource whose balance is easily disturbed. People working in peat bogs must be aware of the constant danger of landslides, especially when they are tasked to operate heavy machines and vehicles that put even more pressure on the ground.Drowning.
Due to the fact that peat is primarily extracted from bogs, workers are at risk of stepping into a deceptively shallow pool or ditch. The latter can seem to be harmless but might go as far as five times deeper than expected. Furthermore, it can be extremely difficult for a worker to remove him- or herself from a pool once they are pulled in.Accidental Falls.
Large surfaces of peat are often covered with dense vegetation that can make navigation difficult. Tree stumps and other obstacles may be hidden from view, which can lead to accidental falls and injury.Exposure to Hazardous Substances.
Dangerous substances such as herbicides are sometimes used to manage vegetation and insect life in a peat bog. On-site workers must be aware of the risks of exposure to such substances and must be able to use the correct protective equipment to maintain their health.
Incident Prevention
While there are some advantages to using machines instead of manual labor when it comes to peat extraction, the former can be difficult to maneuver safely in an environment as volatile as the bog. On the other hand, having workers remove the peat by hand involves a wide range of alternative risks that demand exhaustive safety measures.
The most effective way to ensure that no accidents occur on a peat removal site is to offer appropriate training to all workers involved in the process. The latter must be able to evaluate the stability of the ground they cover, as well as work safely around pools and precarious areas. Personal protective equipment must be worn at all times, which may include head protection and respirators in cases where herbicides and other hazardous substances are used to control the environment.
Employees working alone in peat removal face an even greater risk. As such, they must pay even closer attention to their surroundings and carry equipment that can alert others in case of an emergency.
Safety Courses Recommended for Peat Removal
Ground Disturbance for Workers

It is particularly important for employees who work in peat bogs to be able to correctly assess the properties of the ground they cover. Such knowledge can drastically reduce the number of peat landslides, accidental falls, and drowning incidents.
PPE

Identifying and using the right upper and lower body protective equipment is critical for workers who are tasked to operate power tools and machines in a peat bog. In addition, the right gear can prevent serious injury during accidental falls and may even save lives in the case of lone workers.
WHMIS

Because the use of herbicides and insecticides is such a common practice in the preparation of a peat bog, workers in charge of extraction must know how to protect themselves from poisoning and long-term health issues.
What You Can Do to Stay Safe
To create a safer workspace for both yourself and your colleagues, you must undergo sufficient training in the prevention and management of hazards associated with peat removal. Being able to preclude an accident from taking place is, with no exception, a more effective way to avoid injury than dealing with a hazard that has already occurred.
Peat removal is an integral part of several jobs across different industries. These include:
- Miners in the Energy & Electricity industry.
- Drillers and miners in the Oil & Gas industry.
- Drillers, riggers, and blasters in the Seismic industry.
- Miners, drymen, drillers, and blasters in the Mining industry.
- Construction laborers and equipment operators in the Construction industry.
To review a list of safety courses for your industry, please visit our Consultation Page.