The Excavation standards require employers to provide support systems, such as shoring, bracing, or underpinning, when necessary to ensure that adjacent structures (including adjoining buildings, walls, sidewalks and pavements) remain stable for the protection of workers. The standards also prohibit excavation below the base or footing of any foundation or retaining wall that could be […]

In addition to cave-ins and related hazards, workers involved in excavation work are exposed to hazards involving falling loads and mobile equipment. To protect workers from these hazards, OSHA requires employers to take certain precautions. For example, employers must: Protect workers from excavated or other materials or equipment that could pose a hazard by falling […]

The Excavation standards require employers to take certain steps to protect workers when installing and removing support systems. For example: Members of support systems must be securely connected to prevent sliding, falling, kickouts or predictable failure. Support systems must be installed and removed in a manner that protects workers from cave-ins and structural collapses and […]

Cave-ins are perhaps the most feared trenching hazard. But other potentially fatal hazards exist, including asphyxiation due to lack of oxygen in a confined space, inhalation of toxic fumes, drowning, etc. Electrocution or explosions can occur when workers contact underground utilities. OSHA requires that workers in trenches and excavations be protected, and that safety and […]

Cave-ins are perhaps the most feared trenching hazard. But other potentially fatal hazards exist, including asphyxiation due to lack of oxygen in a confined space, inhalation of toxic fumes, drowning, etc. Electrocution or explosions can occur when workers contact underground utilities. OSHA requires that workers in trenches and excavations be protected, and that safety and […]