What safety practice should be employed when excavation work is affected by unexpected rain?

When excavation work is affected by unexpected rain, postponing the work until conditions improve and inspecting soil stability is the most appropriate safety practice. Rain can significantly alter ground conditions, leading to saturated soil, which increases the risk of cave-ins, equipment instability, and other hazardous conditions. By postponing the work, you allow time for the site to dry out, which can greatly improve safety. Additionally, inspecting soil stability is critical because saturated soils can change their load-bearing capabilities, making it essential to ensure that the surrounding earth can support ongoing excavation work without risk to workers.

This approach prioritizes worker safety, ensuring that the site is safe for continued operations. In contrast, proceeding as planned without assessing the situation disregards the potential dangers posed by unstable conditions. Increasing the number of workers or switching techniques does not address the fundamental issues of soil stability and safety in wet conditions and could lead to increased hazards rather than mitigating them.