When must employers conduct excavation site inspections? Employers must ensure that a competent person inspects all excavations, adjacent areas, and protective systems daily for possible cave-ins, indications of failures in protective systems and equipment, hazardous atmospheres, and other hazardous conditions. Inspections must be done prior to the start of work and as needed throughout the […]
Excavation & Trenching Safety
Read posts about Excavation & Trenching Safety from Ron Meyer & Associates Excavating, West Michigan excavation contractors.
Maintaining Protective Systems Materials & Equipment: Tips for Employers
What do employers need to do to maintain materials and equipment used for protective systems? Employers are responsible for maintaining materials and equipment used for protective systems. Defective and damaged materials and equipment can cause protective systems to fail and lead to other excavation hazards. Employers must ensure that: Materials and equipment are free […]
Safety Factors to Consider When Bidding on an Excavating Job
What safety factors should be considered when bidding on an excavation job? Before preparing a bid, employers should know as much as possible about the jobsite and the materials they will need to have on hand to perform the work safely and in compliance with OSHA standards. A safety checklist may prove helpful when employers […]
Protecting Workers from Hazardous Atmospheres Inside Excavations
How can employers protect workers from hazardous atmospheres inside excavations? Atmospheric testing is required before workers enter an excavation greater than 4 feet (1.22 meters) in depth where an oxygen deficiency or a hazardous atmosphere is present or could reasonably be expected, such as in excavations in landfill areas or excavations in areas where hazardous […]
Employer Precautions to Protect Workers from Cave-ins
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 […]
What Excavation Hazards Do Employers Need to Address?
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 […]