Technical Name: MANUAL TUBULÃO EXCAVATION ACTIVITIES TRAINING COURSE NR 18 – SAFETY AND HEALTH CONDITIONS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
Reference: 171060
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Caisson Excavation Course English
The purpose of the Caisson Excavation Course English is to develop technical competence to perform manual caisson excavations with precision, safety, and operational control. As the participant progresses, they understand how soil conditions, wall stability, and atmospheric behavior directly influence the integrity of the activity. This understanding enhances decision-making and strengthens the ability to recognize, assess, and mitigate risks inherent to deep and restricted environments.
In addition, the training aims to consolidate safe practices aligned with the requirements established by NR 18, expanding critical awareness regarding access procedures, ventilation, monitoring, and rescue. By integrating technical principles with real construction scenarios, the course prepares the professional to operate autonomously and responsibly, ensuring regulatory compliance and high performance in manual caisson excavation.

Who is responsible for ensuring operational safety during manual tubulão excavation?
Operational safety depends primarily on the employer, who must provide planning, supervision and technical controls throughout the excavation process. As the shaft deepens, the risks intensify, requiring structured oversight, trained personnel and well-defined protective measures. This strategic coordination ensures that decisions remain consistent with safe engineering practices.
The worker, however, is equally responsible for maintaining discipline in operational procedures, reporting anomalies and respecting environmental limits. When employer and worker act in alignment, the excavation becomes more predictable, the risk level decreases and the entire system operates with greater efficiency and reliability.
When should atmospheric monitoring be performed inside a tubulão?
Atmospheric monitoring requires a proactive mindset because a deep vertical shaft reacts quickly to changes in soil conditions, ventilation patterns and internal gas formation; therefore, establishing structured checkpoints allows the team to anticipate hazards and maintain a consistently safe internal environment.
Atmospheric Monitoring Moments
| Moment of Evaluation | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Before initial entry | Confirm safe atmospheric conditions for descent |
| During excavation | Detect atmospheric changes caused by soil, gases or dust |
| After any pause | Check for possible accumulation or displacement of gases |
| Before rescue operations | Ensure a safe atmosphere for the rescue team |
Caisson Excavation Course English: A manual tubulão can become a confined space
A tubulão becomes a confined space when its depth, limited ventilation and narrow geometry create conditions that restrict movement, retain gases and require strict environmental control.
Depth that restricts body movement
Insufficient natural ventilation
Potential presence of heavy or stagnant gases
Restricted vertical access
Rescue difficulty without specialized systems

Why does soil behavior change rapidly during manual excavation?
Soil behavior shifts because excavation removes natural confinement pressure, altering the equilibrium of surrounding layers. As the worker cuts and advances downward, vibrations, moisture and tool impact progressively weaken cohesion, making the soil more susceptible to deformation or collapse.
These changes may appear gradual but can reach a critical state with little warning. Understanding this dynamic allows workers to anticipate instability and apply preventive adjustments that safeguard both structural integrity and overall excavation safety.
Where should rescue planning focus during tubulão excavation activities?
Rescue planning must prioritize geometric restrictions, atmospheric variability and challenges of vertical access, since each of these elements directly determines the feasibility, speed and safety of removing a worker from a deep shaft under emergency conditions.
Rescue Planning Focus Points
| Planning Focus | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Safe vertical access | Ensure rapid and stable extraction |
| Controlled internal atmosphere | Prevent exposure to gases or oxygen deficiency |
| Specific equipment | Match lifting and protection systems to the environment |
| Trained rescue teams | Guarantee precise and coordinated response |
Caisson Excavation Course English: Rescue operations require immediate vertical coordination
Vertical rescue demands immediate coordination because limited space, restricted mobility and unpredictable atmospheric conditions require fast decisions and perfect synchronization between the surface team and the worker located inside the shaft.
Instant assessment of the scenario
Direct communication with the surface
Use of appropriate lifting systems
Victim stabilization before ascent
Continuous atmospheric control
What elements determine safe access and egress inside a manual tubulão?
Safe access depends on stable structural support, reliable anchorage points and controlled descent systems that keep the worker aligned and protected throughout movement. These elements work together to prevent falls, entrapment or impact inside the narrow shaft.
Egress safety requires uninterrupted vertical pathways, monitored atmospheric conditions and readiness for emergency retrieval. When these factors operate cohesively, the worker maintains full situational awareness, and the entire excavation process proceeds with greater precision and regulatory consistency.

What is the important of Caisson Excavation Course English?
The importance of the Caisson Excavation Course English lies in its ability to prepare workers to safely perform manual tubulão excavation, an activity that demands precise control of soil behavior, atmospheric conditions and access limitations. As participants advance, they gain a deeper understanding of how structural and environmental variables interact inside a deep, narrow shaft, allowing them to identify hazards early and make informed operational decisions. This awareness strengthens technical judgment and elevates the worker’s ability to maintain stability and prevent collapse during excavation.
Additionally, the course ensures full alignment with the requirements established by NR 18, which defines mandatory procedures for safe excavation, access systems, supervision and environmental control. By internalizing these principles, workers become capable of maintaining regulatory compliance while applying best practices that reduce accidents, optimize work execution and reinforce the safety culture essential for excavation activities in construction environments.
Click the Link: Criteria for Issuing Certificates in accordance with the Standards
Certificate of Completion
Deep Fundation Excavation Course
MANUAL TUBULÃO EXCAVATION ACTIVITIES TRAINING COURSE NR 18 – SAFETY AND HEALTH CONDITIONS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
Course Load: 24 Hours
Module 1 – General Concepts of Manual Excavation (4 hours)
Characteristics of manually excavated shafts
Requirements for diameter, depth and preliminary studies
Soil behavior and ground stability fundamentals
Conditions required for safe initiation of excavation
Recognition of early warning signs of collapse
Criteria for excavation above or below water level
Water control, infiltration management and operational limits
Module 2 – Ground Stability, Collapse Prevention and Environmental Influences (4 hours)
Mechanisms that lead to wall failure in deep shafts
Identification of unstable soil conditions
Influence of vibration, load, humidity and adjacent structures
Environmental factors that increase collapse probability
Operational measures to maintain stability throughout excavation
Module 3 – Occupational Risks and Preventive Control Measures (4 hours)
Identification of physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic and mechanical risks
Assessment methods for deep and restricted environments
Preventive strategies for hazard control
Integration of protective measures into operational routines
Recognition of unsafe behaviors and corrective actions
Module 4 – Confined Space Atmospheric Hazards and Monitoring (4 hours)
Characteristics of hazardous atmospheres
Oxygen deficiency, toxicity and flammability principles
Atmospheric stratification and gas displacement in vertical shafts
Procedures for continuous atmospheric monitoring
Interpretation of readings and decision-making thresholds
Module 5 – Entry Authorization, Isolation Procedures and Documentation (4 hours)
Purpose and structure of the Entry and Work Permit
Authorization flow for personnel entering shafts
Isolation procedures: locking, blocking, sealing and labeling
Documentation requirements for operational traceability
Worker responsibilities during the authorization process
Module 6 – Rescue Planning, Emergency Reasoning and First Response (4 hours)
Requirements for a rescue and removal plan
Recognition of emergency conditions
Communication and alarm activation principles
Fundamentals of first response in excavation scenarios
Safe extraction logic to avoid additional victims
Coordination between surface and internal rescue actions
Completion and Certification:
Practical Exercises (when contracted);
Evidence Records;
Theoretical Evaluation;
Practical Evaluation (when contracted);
Certificate of Participation.
NOTE:
We emphasize that the General Normative Program Content of the Course or Training may be modified, updated, supplemented, or have items excluded as deemed necessary by our Multidisciplinary Team. Our Multidisciplinary Team is authorized to update, adapt, modify, and/or exclude items, as well as insert or remove Standards, Laws, Decrees, or technical parameters they consider applicable, whether related or not. The Contracting Party is responsible for ensuring compliance with the relevant legislation.
Deep Fundation Excavation Course
Deep Fundation Excavation Course
Inexperienced Participants:
Minimum credit hours = 48 hours/class
Experienced Participants:
Minimum credit hours = 24 hours/class
Update (Recycling):
Minimum credit hours = 12 hours/class
Updating (Recycling): The employer must carry out periodic training Annually and whenever any of the following situations occur:
a) change in work procedures, conditions or operations;
b) event that indicates the need for new training;
c) return from work leave for a period exceeding ninety days;
d) change of company;
e) Exchange of machine or equipment
Deep Fundation Excavation Course
Deep Fundation Excavation Course
Normative references when applicable to applicable devices and their updates:
NR 01 – Disposições Gerais e Gerenciamento de Riscos Ocupacionais (General Provisions and Occupational Risk Management)
NR 18 – Condições de Segurança e Saúde no Trabalho na Indústria da Construção (Health and Safety Conditions in the Construction Industry)
NR 33 – Segurança e Saúde nos Trabalhos em Espaços Confinados (Safety and Health at Work in Confined Spaces)
NR 35 – Trabalho em Altura (Work at Heights)
ABNT NBR 6122 – Projeto e execução de fundações (Design and Execution of Foundations)
ABNT NBR 16489 – Sistemas e equipamentos de proteção individual para trabalhos em altura – Recomendações e orientações para seleção, uso e manutenção (Individual Protection Systems and Equipment for Work at Heights – Recommendations and Guidelines for Selection, Use and Maintenance)
ABNT NBR 16710-2 – Resgate técnico industrial em altura e/ou em espaço confinado – Parte 2: Requisitos para provedores de treinamento e instrutores para qualificação profissional (Industrial Technical Rescue in Work at Height and/or Confined Space – Part 2: Requirements for Training Providers and Instructors for Professional Qualification)
ISO 10015 – Gestão da qualidade – Diretrizes para treinamento – (Quality management – Training guidelines);
ISO 45001 – Sistemas de gestão de saúde e segurança ocupacional – Requisitos com orientação para uso – (Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use);
Note: This Service exclusively meets the requirements of the MTE (Ministry of Labor and Employment) when dealing with other bodies, inform in the act of request.
Deep Fundation Excavation Course
Deep Fundation Excavation Course
TECHNICAL CURIOSITIES – DEEP FOUNDATION EXCAVATION COURSE:
Soil Behavior at Depth
In caisson excavations, soil behavior changes as depth increases. Lateral pressure grows and can turn an apparently stable ground into material with a sudden risk of failure. Small surface vibrations, such as a passing truck, can completely alter surrounding stability.
The Millimetric Influence of Diameter
The minimum diameter of ninety centimeters is not just a convention. A smaller diameter increases the pressure exerted by the soil and drastically reduces the worker’s ability to move tools or maintain a safe posture. Ten centimeters less can significantly raise the risk of entrapment in the event of partial collapse.
Ventilation That Deceives the Sensor
Even with good natural ventilation at the top, the bottom of the caisson may contain pockets of heavier gases that remain trapped. Poorly positioned detectors may fail to identify this accumulation, creating a false sense of security and exposing the worker to hidden atmospheric hazards.
Our pedagogical project follows the guidelines imposed by Regulatory Standard nº1.
After payment is made, Purchase Order, Contract signed between the parties, or other form of closing confirmation, the teaching material will be released within 72 working hours (up to 9 days), due to the adaptation of the syllabus and compliance with the Standards Techniques applicable to the scenario expressed by the Contracting Party; as well as other adaptations to the didactic material, carried out by our Multidisciplinary Team for technical language according to the student’s nationality and Technical Operational and Maintenance Instruction Manuals specific to the activities that will be carried out.
OTHER ELEMENTS WHEN APPLICABLE AND CONTRACTED:
Manually excavation:
Be hooded in its entirety;
Be performed after drilling or local geotechnical study, for depths greater than 3 m (three meters);
Have a minimum diameter of 0.9 m (ninety centimeters);
Manual excavation of pipe above or below water level:
Executed in cases where the ground remains stable;
Risk of landslide;
Possible to control the water;
Manual barrel excavation activity:
Preceded by a rescue and removal plan;
Proper use of personal protective equipment;
Equipment and collective protection existing at the construction site;
Risks inherent to the activities carried out;
Working conditions and environment;
Occupational health and safety legislation;
Risks in confined spaces:
Carry out the assessment and control of physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic and mechanical risks;
Provide for the implementation of locks, blocks, relief, sealing and labeling;
necessary measures to eliminate or control atmospheric hazards in confined spaces;
Atmosphere conditions;
Atmosphere in confined spaces;
Measuring equipment;
Definitions:
Respiratory protection program;
Recognition, assessment and control of risks;
Operation of used equipment;
Procedures and use of the Entry and Work Permit;
Notions of rescue and first aid;
Rescue operations.
Activity Complements:
Awareness of Importance:
APR (Preliminary Risk Analysis);
PAE (Emergency Action Plan;
PGR (Risk Management Plan);
Understanding the need for the Rescue Team;
The importance of knowledge of the task;
Accident prevention and first aid notions;
Fire protection;
Perception of risks and factors that affect how people’s perceptions;
Impact and behavioral factors on safety;
Fear factor;
How to find the fastest and easiest way to develop Skills;
How to control the mind while working;
How to administer and manage working time;
Why balance energy during activity in order to obtain productivity;
Consequences of Habituation of Risk;
Work accident causes;
Notions about the Tree of Causes;
Notions about Fault Tree;
Understanding Ergonomics;
Job Analysis;
Ergonomic Hazards;
Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) – OSHA;
Practical exercises:
Registration of Evidence;
Theoretical and Practical Assessment;
Certificate of participation.
Deep Fundation Excavation Course
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18.9 Measures to prevent falls from a height
18.9.1 It is mandatory to install collective protection where there is a risk of workers falling
or projection of materials and objects around the work, designed by a legally qualified professional.
18.9.2 Openings in the floor shall:
a) have a temporary closure made of resistant material locked or fixed to the structure; or
b) be equipped with a fall protection system, in accordance with sub-item 18.9.4.1 or 18.9.4.2 of this NR.
18.9.3 The access openings to the elevator boxes must have temporary closure of the entire
opening, made of resistant material, locked or fixed to the structure, until the definitive placement of the doors.
18.9.4 It is mandatory, on the periphery of the building, the installation of protection against the fall of workers and projection of materials from the beginning of the services necessary for the concreting of the first slab.
18.9.4.1 The protection, when made up of rigid bulkheads with total span closure, must have a minimum height of 1.2 m (one meter and twenty centimeters).
18.9.4.2 The protection, when constituted by rigid bulkheads in a guardrail and skirting system, must meet the following requirements:
a) beam greater than 1.2 m (one meter and twenty centimeters) in height and resistance to horizontal load of 90 kgf/m (ninety kilograms-force per meter), with the maximum deflection not exceeding 0.076 m ( seventy-six millimeters);
b) intermediate beam at 0.7 m (seventy centimeters) in height and resistance to horizontal load of 66 kgf/m (sixty-six kilograms-force per meter);
c) skirting board with a minimum height of 0.15 m (fifteen centimeters) flush with the surface and resistance to horizontal load of 22 kgf/m (twenty-two kilograms-force per meter);
d) have gaps between the transoms filled with a screen or other device that guarantees the safe closing of the opening.
18.9.4.3 When using primary, secondary or tertiary protection platforms, they must be designed by a legally qualified professional and meet the following requirements:
a) be designed and constructed in such a way as to resist the impacts of falling objects;
b) be kept in an adequate state of conservation;
c) be maintained without overloading the structure’s stability.
S: NR 18.
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