General

What is the regulatory standard for trenching and excavation?

Standard

What is the regulatory standard for trenching and excavation?

The employer must comply with the trenching and excavation requirements of 29 CFR 1926.651 and 1926.652 or comparable OSHA-approved state plan requirements. Trenches 5 feet (1.5 meters) deep or greater require a protective system unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock.

How deep can an excavation be without shoring?

5 feet
How Deep Can a Trench Be Without Shoring? Trenches with a depth of 5 feet (1.5 meters) or greater need a protective system unless the entire excavation is in stable rock. If there is anything less than 5 feet, it is up to a competent person’s discretion to determine if there is a need for a protective system.

What are the precautions for deep trenching?

How is Excavation Done Safely?

  • Inspect trenches daily before work begins.
  • Check weather conditions before work, be mindful of rain and storms.
  • Keep heavy equipment away from trench edges.
  • Be mindful of the location of utilities underground.
  • Always wear proper protective equipment.
  • Don’t work beneath raised loads.

What is OSHA shoring?

Shoring is the provision of a support system for trench faces used to prevent movement of soil, underground utilities, roadways, and foundations. Shoring or shielding is used when the location or depth of the cut makes sloping back to the maximum allowable slope impractical.

What are the OSHA requirements for trenches?

OSHA requires employers to provide ladders, steps, ramps, or other safe means of egress for workers working in trench excavations 4 feet (1.22 meters) or deeper. The means of egress must be located so as not to require workers to travel more than 25 feet (7.62 meters) laterally within the trench.

What are the safety measures for excavation?

03. Safety Precaution while Excavation Work:

  • Prepare firm and broad approach road.
  • The nail should not be lying around, after the completion of layout work.
  • Barricade the site to restrict the entry of animal and the unauthorised person on site.
  • Ensure that workers are wearing personal protective equipment.

What are some hazards associated with trenches?

Trench and Excavation Hazards

  • Cave-ins or collapses that can trap workers.
  • Equipment or excavated soil falling on workers (e.g., equipment operated or soil/debris stored too close to the excavation).
  • Falling into the trench or excavation.
  • Flooding or water accumulation.

What are the safety precautions for excavation?

Safety Precaution while Excavation Work: Avoid work in rainy season. The nail should not be lying around, after the completion of layout work. Barricade the site to restrict the entry of animal and the unauthorised person on site. Ensure that workers are wearing personal protective equipment.

When a trench is 4 feet or more in depth?

In trenches that are 4 feet or more in depth, provide a means of access and egress. Spacing between ladders, stairs or ramps should not be more than 50 feet. No worker should have to travel more than 25 feet laterally to reach a means of egress (exit). Ladders must be secured and extend 36 inches above the landing.

What is the safety code of excavation?

1 No person shall work in any excavation, shaft, or earthwork, unless all timbering and plant used therein are inspected by a competent person before work is started and also after explosives have been used in or near the excavation, shaft or earthwork.

What is excavation OSHA?

“Trench (Trench excavation)” means a narrow excavation (in relation to its length) made below the surface of the ground. In general, the depth is greater than the width, but the width of a trench (measured at the bottom) is not greater than 15 feet (4.6 m).

What is trench safety?

Never enter an unprotected trench. Trenches deeper than 5 feet need to have a protective system in place unless they are made of stable rock. Don’t place any excavated soil/material within 2 feet of the trench edge. Don’t stand near any vehicle being loaded or unloaded. Always wear proper safety equipment.