Excavations & Trenching

Bureau of Workers’ Comp

PA Training for Health & Safety
(PATHS)

OSHA
1926
Subpart P

PPT-011-01 1
 Definitions

• Excavation – a man-made cut, cavity, trench or

depression formed by earth removal.
• Trench – a narrow excavation. The depth is greater
than the width, but not wider than 15 feet.
• Shield - A structure able to withstand a cave-in and
protect employees (also called box).
• Shoring - A structure that supports the sides of an
excavation and protects against cave-ins.
• Sloping - A technique that employs a specific angle
of incline on the sides of the excavation. The angle
varies based on assessment of impacting site
factors.

PPT-011-01 2
 Excavation Hazards

Cave-ins are the greatest risk

Other hazards include:
• Asphyxiation due to lack
of oxygen
• Inhalation of toxic materials
• Moving machinery near the edge
of the excavation (can cause a
collapse)
• Accidental severing of
underground utility lines.
• Fire

PPT-011-01 3
 Injury and Death

• Excavating is one of the

most hazardous
construction operations
• Most accidents occur in
trenches 5-15 feet deep
• There is usually no warning
before a cave-in

PPT-011-01 4
 Focus of Training

• The greatest risk at an excavation

• How to protect employees from cave-ins
• Factors that pose a hazard to employees
working in excavations
• The role of a competent person at an
excavation site

PPT-011-01 5
 Protection of Employees

• Employees should be protected from cave-ins by using

an adequately designed protective system.

• Protective systems must be able to resist all expected

loads to the system.

PPT-011-01 6
 Requirements for
Protective Systems

A well-designed protective system

Correct design of:
- Sloping and benching systems
- Support systems
- Shield systems
- Other protective systems
+
Appropriate handling of materials and equipment
+
Attention to correct installation and removal
=
Protection of employees at excavations.

PPT-011-01 7
 Design of Protective Systems

The employer shall select and construct :

→Slopes and configurations of sloping
and benching systems.
→Support systems, shield systems and
other protective systems.
• Shield - Can be permanent or portable. Also
known as trench box or trench shield.
• Shoring - Such as metal hydraulic, mechanical
or timber shoring system that supports the
sides.
• Sloping - Formed sides of an excavation that
are inclined away from the excavation.

PPT-011-01 8
 Protect Employees Exposed to
Potential Cave-ins

• Slope or bench the sides

of the excavation.
• Support the sides of the
excavation.
• Place a shield between the
side of the excavation and
the work area.

PPT-011-01 9
 Cave-in Hazard

Inadequate protective system

This excavation
has inadequate
support posts and
egress access.

PPT-011-01 10
 Inadequate Protective System

This worker is in a
trench, with no •
protective system,
that is neither sloped
nor benched, and has
no means of egress.

PPT-011-01 11
 Factors Involved in Designing
a Protective System

• Soil classification
• Depth of cut
• Water content of soil
• Changes due to weather
and climate
• Other operations in the
vicinity

PPT-011-01 12
 Shoring

• General
• Provides a framework in which to work
• Uses walls, cross braces and uprights
• Supports excavation walls
• OSHA tables provide shoring data
• Must know soil type
• Must know depth and width of excavation
• Must be familiar with the OSHA tables

PPT-011-01 13
Trench Shield

A trench shield
(also called a
trench box)
was built
around this
work area.

PPT-011-01 14
Hydraulic Trench Support

• Using hydraulic jacks, the

operator can easily drop
the system into the hole.
• Once in place, hydraulic
pressure is increased to
keep the forms in place.
• Trench pins are installed
in case of hydraulic
failure.

PPT-011-01 15
 Materials and Equipment

• Equipment used for

protective systems must not
have damage or defects that
impair function. Trench Box

• If equipment is damaged, a
competent person must
examine it to see if it is
suitable for continued use.
• If not suitable, remove it
from service until a
professional engineer
approves it for use.

PPT-011-01 16
 Protection from Vehicles

• Install barricades
• Hand/mechanical signals
• Stop logs
• Grade soil away from
excavation
• Fence or barricade
trenches left overnight

PPT-011-01 17
Hazardous Conditions

They should not

be working under
this crane.
The weight and
vibration of the
crane makes this
a very hazardous
condition.

PPT-011-01 18
 Spoil Piles

• Don’t place spoils within two

feet from edge of
excavation.

• Measure from nearest part

of the spoil to the excavation
edge.

• Place spoils so rainwater

runs away from the
excavation.

• Place spoil well away from

the excavation.

PPT-011-01 19
 Other Excavation Hazards

• Water accumulation

• Oxygen deficiency

• Mobile equipment

• Access/egress

• Toxic fumes

• Falls

PPT-011-01 20
 Water is Hazardous

Note: Workers not wearing hardhats

to protect them from materials falling
into the trench!

When water is
present in an
excavation it
is extremely
hazardous to
enter.

PPT-011-01 21
Water = Cave-in Hazard

These workers
must be protected
from a cave-in.
Note the water in
the bottom of the
trench. Very
hazardous
condition!

PPT-011-01 22
Hazardous Atmosphere

Test excavations more

than four feet before an
employee enters the
excavation for:
▫ Oxygen deficiency
▫ High combustible-
gas concentration
▫ High levels of
other hazardous
substances

PPT-011-01 23
 Means of Egress

A stairway, ladder or
ramp must be present This ladder does not meet the
in excavations that requirements of the standard

are four or more feet

deep, and must be
within 25 feet of
employees.
The ladder should
extend three feet
above the excavation.

PPT-011-01 24
Access and Egress

These two ladders,

which are lashed
together, are not
an adequate
means of egress.
Ladders should
extend three feet
above the top of
the excavation.

PPT-011-01 25
Protection from Falls, Falling Loads
and Mobile Equipment

• Install barricades.

• Use hand/mechanical signals.

• Grade soil away from excavation.

• Fence or barricade trenches left overnight.

• Use a flagger when signs, signals and barricades

are not enough protection.

PPT-011-01 26
 Competent Person

Must have had specific training in

and be knowledgeable about:
• Soils classification
• The use of protective systems
• The requirements of the standard
Must be capable of identifying hazards
and authorized to immediately
eliminate them.

PPT-011-01 27
 Inspections of Excavations

A competent person must make

daily inspections of excavations,
areas around them and
protective systems:
• Before work starts and as
needed
• After rainstorms, high winds
or other occurrence which
may increase hazards
• When you can reasonably
anticipate an employee will
be exposed to hazards

PPT-011-01 28
 Inspections of Excavations
(cont.)

If a competent person finds

evidence of a possible cave-in,
indications of failure of
protective systems, hazardous
atmospheres or other
hazardous conditions:
• Exposed employees must be
removed from the hazardous
area.
• Employees may not return
until the necessary
precautions have been taken.
PPT-011-01 29
 Site Evaluation Planning

Before beginning excavation:

• Evaluate soil conditions
• Construct protective systems
• Test for low oxygen,
hazardous fumes and toxic
gases
• Provide safe in and out
access
• Contact utilities
• Determine the safety Fissure
equipment needed

PPT-011-01 30
 Summary

• The greatest risk in an excavation

is a cave-in.
• Employees can be protected
through sloping, shielding and
shoring the excavation.
• A competent person is responsible
to inspect the excavation.
• Other excavation hazards include
water accumulation, oxygen
deficiency, toxic fumes, falls and
mobile equipment.

PPT-011-01 31
Questions

PPT-011-01 32