Excavation & Trenching Safety

The standards apply to all open excavations made in the Earth’s surface, including trenches. Following the requirements of the standards will prevent or greatly reduce the risk of cave-ins and other excavation-related incidents. Learn more: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha2226.pdf Other common questions: When Must Employers Conduct Excavation Site Inspections? What Excavation Hazards Do Employers Need to Address? What […]

Employers must ensure that any worker who enters a bellbottom pier hole or similar deep and confined footing excavation wears a harness with a lifeline. The lifeline must be attached securely to the harness and must be separate from any line used to handle materials. Also, the lifeline must be individually attended by an observer […]

The following are some points to consider in a trenching and excavation checklist. Each circumstance will be different, so be sure to adapt the questions to suit your situation. Underground/Utility Services Know the contact numbers? Located, identified and informed respective parties? Grounded, isolated, de-energized, or protected from unplanned release? Housekeeping Excavated material, pipes etc. are […]

Type C soil cannot be benched. Appendix B does not permit an employer to bench a type C soil excavation. Therefore, it is not safe to cut steps into a slope of type C soil because the soil’s lack of cohesion is likely to cause the steps to crumble when an employee steps on them. […]

Trenches 5 feet (1.5 meters) deep or greater require a protective system unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock. Trenches 20 feet (6.1 meters) deep or greater require that the protective system be de-signed by a registered professional engineer or be based on tabulated data prepared and/ or approved by a registered professional […]

Trench collapses and cave-ins are a serious threat to workers, but they can be prevented. OSHA reminds employers that worker safety is a priority, and the agency has resources available to protect workers. The following safe work practices will help keep trenches safe for workers: PREPARE a safe trench Provide safe entry and exit before […]