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Trenching and Shoring

(For Civil Excavation Group)
Introduction
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 Hundreds of workers killed annually from

cave-ins
 Thousand of workers injured annually from
cave-ins
 Fatality rate for trenching is twice the level for
general construction
2
Course Objectives
 Introduce The Trenching & Shoring Safety

Program.
 Establish The Programs Role.
 Discuss the components of an effective
program.
 Introduce ideas to help develop an effective
program.
 Introduce Basic Skills in the Recognition &
Control of Trenching & Shoring Hazards.
3
Definition
 Excavation - Any man-made cut, cavity, trench, or

depression in an earth surface, formed by earth removal
 Cave-in - The separation of a mass of soil or rock material
from the side of an excavation, or the loss of soil from under
a trench shield or support system, and its sudden movement
into the excavation, either by falling or sliding, in sufficient
quantity so that it could entrap, bury, or otherwise injure and
immobilize a person.
 Shield (shield system) - A structure that is able to
withstand the forces imposed on it by a cave-in and thereby
protect employees with the structure. Shields can be
permanent structures or can be designed to be portable and
moved along as work progresses. Also known as trench box
or trench shield.
4
Definition
 Shoring (shoring system) - A structure such as a

metal hydraulic, mechanical or timber shoring system
that supports the sides of an excavation and which is
designed to prevent cave-ins.
 Trench (trench excavation) - 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 is not greater than 15 feet. If
forms or other structures are installed or constructed in
an excavation as to reduce the dimension measured
from the forms or structure to the side of the excavation
to 15 feet or less, the excavation is also considered to
be a trench.
5
Definition
 Sloping (sloping system) - A method of protecting

employees from cave-ins by excavating to form
sides of an excavation that are inclined away from
the excavation so as to prevent cave-ins. The angle
of incline varies with differences in such factors as
the soil type, environmental conditions of exposure,
and application of surcharge loads.
 Benching - A method of protecting employees from
cave-ins by excavating the sides of an excavation to
form one or a series of horizontal levels or steps,
usually with vertical or near-vertical surfaces
between levels.
6
Definition
Competent Person - One who is capable of identifying

existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings,
or working conditions that are unsanitary, hazardous,
or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization
to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.
All competent persons must complete the 4-hour
Physical Plant trenching and shoring class,
successfully pass the exam, and be certified for
successful completion of the class. A competent
person should have and be able to demonstrate the
following:
 Training, experience, and knowledge of:
 soil analysis,
 use of protective systems
7
Definition
Competent Person - One

who has ability to detect:
 conditions that could result in
cave-ins,
 failures in protective systems,
 hazardous atmospheres, and
 other hazards including those
associated with confined
spaces.
 Authority to take prompt
corrective measures to
eliminate existing and
predictable hazards and to
stop work when required.
8
Mechanism of Death
 Asphyxiation
 Each time a breath is
exhaled the weight of
the load restricts
inhalation of the next
breath. Slow
suffocation usually
follows unless rescue
is immediate.
9
Site Condition
CAVE-INS RESULT FROM:

 Vibrations
 Adjacent Structures
 Freezing and Thawing
 The Weight of the Soil Itself
 Addition or Removal of
Water
 Reduction in Frictional and
Cohesive Capacities of Soil
10
How Much Does Soil Weigh?
DEPENDING ON THE DENSITY AND

WATER CONTENT:
 One cubic yard weighs - 3000lbs or more
 One cubic foot weighs - 100lbs or more
3 FEET
1 FOOT
3000lbs or more 100lbs or more

11
How Do Most Death Occur?
 Instantaneously
 Trenches 5 to 15
deep
 With absolutely no
warning
 In seemingly safe
conditions
 With workers in a
bent or lying
position
12
Site Evaluation
BEFORE YOU BEGIN

EXCAVATION:
 The site must be assessed
 Potential hazards must be
determined
 Known hazards reduced or
eliminated
 Emergency procedures
established
 Periodic inspection intervals
determined
 Utility locations must be
staked or marked
13
Basic Safety Requirements
 Conduct inspections before each work shift

 Do not travel under elevated loads
 Do not work over unprotected employees
 Wear proper personal protective equipment
 Provide walkways or bridges over trenches
 Provide trench exits within 25 feet of workers in
trenches more than four feet deep
 Ensure spoilage is at least 2 ft. from trench edges
14
Emergency Procedures
 Immediately call the Emergency

Response Team
 Report: - Exact Location
- Number of Victims
- Nature of Emergency
- Trench Measurements
- Special Hazards
 Keep all life-support and dewatering
systems operating
 Clear workers away from the excavation
 Shut down heavy equipment
 Be prepared to meet and brief rescue
personnel
15
Emergency Procedures
 What not to do:

 Don’t Panic!
 Control would-be rescuers
 Don’t sacrifice anyone else
 Never attempt to dig
someone out
using motorized equipment
 Remember - Your actions
could save a life!
16
Foot and Vehicle Traffic
ACCIDENT PREVENTION
METHODS:
 Warn and reroute public traffic
 Post signs, barricades and
flagmen
 Mandate use of reflective vests
 Warn site traffic with stoplogs
etc.
 Install protective supports
systems
17
Excavation Hindrances
MUST BE:
 Removed
 Relocated
 Supported to protect site
personnel
Examples include:
 Fencing
 Posts
 Telephone
 Cable
 Electrical Access Boxes
18
Underground Installations
 Utility lines must be located

before excavating begins
 Utility companies or
owners must be contacted
(Permit To Work):
 Response times must be
considered
 Advised of the proposed
work
 Questioned concerning
underground installations
need to be answered
 Exact drawing or location
of the buried utilities
19
Underground Installations
 If permit to work is given, all precautionary

measures and recommendation is done,
excavation can proceed
 Underground installations must be
determined by safe and acceptable means
 Excavated underground installations must be
protected
 Never under estimate hazards associated
with underground utilities!!!
20
Soil Classification System
 TYPE A SOILS
- Clay
- Silty Clay
- Sandy Clay
- Clay Loam
 TYPE B SOILS
- Granular Cohesionless Soils
(Silt Loam)
 TYPE C SOILS
- Gravel
- Sand
- Loamy Sand
21
SOIL CLASSIFICATION MUST BE DONE BY A

COMPETENT PERSON:
 Visual Test:
 Check entire worksite
 Fissured ground
 Layered soil
 Disturbed earth
 Seepage
 Vibration
 Poor drainage
22
Manual Test:
 Plasticity
 Dry Strength
 Thumb penetration
 Pocket penetrameter
 Hand operated shear
vane
WARNING: One soil inspection and classification may not
be enough. Outside disturbances during excavation may
change even the best soil classification. Inspect the soil
after any change in conditions.
23
 Plasticity or Wet Thread

Test
Take a moist sample of the
soil. Mold it into a ball and
then attempt to roll it into a
thin thread approximately
1/8 inch in diameter by two
inches in length. If the soil
sample does not break
when held by one end, it
may be considered Type B.
24
Dry Strength Test

Take a sample of dry soil. If it
crumbles freely or with
moderate pressure into
individual grains, it is
considered granular (Type C).
Dry soil that falls into clumps
that subsequently break into
smaller clumps (and the
smaller clumps can only be
broken with difficulty), it is
probably clay in combination
with gravel, sand, or silt (Type
B).
25
 Thumb Penetration Test

Attempt to press the thumb
firmly into the soil in question. If
the thumb penetrates no further
than the length of the nail, it is
probably Type B soil. If the
thumb penetrates the full length
of the thumb, it is Type C. It
should be noted that the thumb
penetration test is the least
accurate testing method.
26 DW-HSE-TM038
A pocket Penetrometer,
Shearvane, or Torvane may
also be used to determine
the unconfined compression
strength of soils.
pocket Penetrometer
Torvane
27 Shearvane
DW-HSE-TM038
Type A soil is cohesive with an

unconfined compressive strength
of 1.5 tons per square foot (tsf).
Type A soils include clay, silty
clay, sandy clay, clay loam,
earache, hardpan, and
sometimes silty clay loam and
sandy clay loam. No soil should
be classified as Type A if it is
fissured; subject to vibration from
traffic, pile driving, or similar
effects; previously disturbed; or
part of a sloped, layered system
where the slope is four horizontal
to one vertical or greater.
28
Type B soil is cohesive soil with an

unconfined compressive strength
greater than .5 tsf but less than 1.5
tsf. Type B soils include granular
cohesionless soils like angular
gravel, silt, silt loam, sandy loam,
and sometimes silty clay loam and
sandy clay loam; previously
disturbed soils that are not Type C;
fissured soils and soils subject to
vibration that would otherwise be
classified as Type A; dry rock that is
not stable; and material that is part
of a sloped, layered system where
the layers dip on a slope less steep
than four horizontal to one vertical.
29
Type C soil is cohesive soil

with an unconfined
compressive strength of .5 tsf
or less. Type C soils include
granular soils such as gravel,
sand, and loamy sand;
submerged soil; soil from
which water is freely seeping;
submerged rock that is not
stable; or material in a sloped,
layered system where the
layers dip into the excavation
at a slope of four horizontal to
one vertical or steeper.
30
Access and Egress
STRUCTURAL RAMPS:
 USED ONLY BY PEOPLE
 DESIGNED BY A COMPETENT PERSON
 EGRESS REQUIRED EVERY 25 FEET (LATERAL) >
= 4FT
31
Trench Safety
TRENCHES MORE THAN 5 FEET:

 Require shoring
 Or must have a stabilized slope
IN HAZARDOUS SOIL CONDITIONS:
 Trenches under 5 feet need protection
32
Hazardous Atmosphere
TESTING AND CONTROLS:

 Oxygen deficiency
 Flammable atmospheres
 Testing
EMERGENCY RESCUE
EQUIPMENT:
 Availability
 Lifelines
33
Hazards & Water Accumulation
 Adequate Precautions
Must Be Taken When
Working in Accumulated
Water
 Controlling Water and
Water Removal Must Be
Monitored by a Competent
Person
 Ditches, Dikes or
Comparable Means Should
Be Used to Prevent
Surface Water From
Entering Excavations
34
Weather Factors
 Don’t under estimate the

effects weather can have
 Weather can have a drastic
effect on the site
 Daily (or hourly) site
inspections must be made
 Consider protection from:
 Lightning
 Flooding
 Erosion
 High winds
 Hot or Cold Temperatures
35
Stability of Adjacent Structure
 When stability is endangered

support systems must be used.
 Excavation below the base of a
foundation will not be permitted
when it poses a hazard except
when:
 A support system is provided
 The excavation is in stable rock
 A registered professional has
approved the site or deemed the
situation will not pose a hazard
36
Site Inspections
 Daily inspections must be

made by a competent
person:
 Excavations
 Adjacent areas
 Protective systems
 When evidence is found of a
hazardous condition, the
exposed employees must
be Immediately removed
from the area.
37
Fall Protection
 Guardrails must be provided for crossing over

excavations
 Barriers must be provided for remotely located
excavations
38
Spoil
 Temporary spoil shall be placed no closer than 2 feet from the

surface edge of the excavation, measured from the nearest base of
the spoil to the cut. This distance should not be measured from the
crown of the spoil deposit. This distance requirement ensures that
loose rock or soil from the temporary spoil will not fall on workers in
the trench.
 Spoil should be placed so that it channels rainwater and other run-
off water away from the excavation. Spoil should be placed so that
it cannot accidentally run, slide, or fall back into the excavation.
 Permanent spoil should be placed some distance from the
excavation.
2 FEET MINIMUM
39 DW-HSE-TM038
Protective System Requirements
 Each employee must be

protected from cave-ins by
an adequately designed
system. Exceptions are:
 Excavations made in stable
rock
 Excavations less than 5 feet
 Protective systems must
have the capacity to resist
all loads that are expected
to be applied to the system
40
Protective System Requirements
 DESIGN OF BENCHING AND

SLOPING SYSTEMS:
 OPTION 1 - Allowable
configurations and slopes
 OPTION 2 - Determination of
slopes and configurations using
29 CFR 1926.652
 OPTION 3 - Designs using
other tabulated data
 OPTION 4 - Design by a
registered professional engineer
41
Materials and Equipment
 Must be free from damage

or defects that might
impair proper function
 Must be used and
maintained in a manner
that is consistent with the
recommendations of the
manufacturer
 Must be examined by a
competent person if
damage occurs
42
Installation and Removal of Support
 Support systems must be securely connected

 Support systems must be installed and removed in a
manner that protects from collapse
 Support systems must not be subjected to loads
exceeding design specifications
 Additional precautions must be taken to ensure
safety before temporary removal begins
 Removal must begin at the bottom of the excavation
 Backfilling must progress together with the removal of
support systems from excavations
43
Sloping and Benching Systems
EMPLOYEES MUST NOT BE PERMITTED TO WORK:

 On the faces of sloped or benched excavations
 At levels above other employees except when employees
at the lower levels are adequately protected from the
hazard of falling, rolling or sliding material or equipment
44
SLOPING and BENCHING

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
 Various slope angles are
allowed by OSHA
 Appendix B to 1926 Subpart P
must be consulted
 Evacuate the excavation if
walls show signs of distress
 If soil conditions change, re-
inspect
45
90 Degrees 53 Degrees
Maximum
STABLE ROCK TYPE A
45 Degrees 34 Degrees
Maximum Maximum
TYPE B TYPE C
46
Simple slope excavation in Type A soil with a 3/4H: 1 V slope
47
Benched excavation in Type A soil with a maximum slope of 3/4H: 1 V.
48
Simple slope excavation in Type B soil with a 1 H:1 V slope
49
Multiple benched excavation in Type B soil with a slope of 1H:1V
50
Excavation in Type C soil with shielded vertically sided lower portions.

The excavation is sloped at 1-1/2H:l V.
51
Shoring
General
 Shoring provides a framework to work in
 Shoring uses wales cross braces and uprights
 Shoring supports excavation walls
Removal
 Remove shoring from the bottom up
 Pull sheeting out from above
 Backfill immediately after removal of support system
52
Shoring
 OSHA TABLES PROVIDE SHORING DATA

 Soil type must be known
 Depth and width of the excavation must be known
 You must be familiar with the OSHA Tables
Maximum Allowable Slopes
Maximum Allowable Slopes (H:V) for
Soil or Rock Type Excavations less than 20 feet deep
Stable Rock Vertical 90º
Type A ¾ : 1 (53º)
Type B 1 : 1 (45º)
Type C 1 : 1 ½ (53º)
53
Shoring
Timber Shoring
 This illustrates timber shoring
in a trench approximately 13
feet deep and 5 feet wide in
Type B soil. The 6 x 6
crossbraces have been placed
at 6 feet horizontally and 5
feet vertically; the 8 x 8 wales
are positioned at five feet
vertically; and the 2 x 6
uprights are placed every two
feet.
54
Shoring
Aluminum Hydraulic Shoring

 Aluminum hydraulic shoring
should be based upon
manufacturer's tabulated data
and should be in accordance with
the manufacturer's specifications,
recommendations, and limitations
 Vertical aluminum hydraulic
shoring in a trench dug in soil
Type B. The vertical shores and 2
inch diameter cylinders are
placed 5.5 feet o.c. horizontally
and 4 feet o.c. vertically. Plywood
is used behind the shores to
prevent local raveling between
55 shores.
Shoring
A horizontal waler
system in a trench dug
in Type C soil.
Horizontal 2 inch
cylinders are spaced at
6.5 feet o.c. horizontally.
Wales are spaced 4
feet o.c. vertically and 3
x 12 solid timber
sheeting is used
56
Shield System
 Shield systems must project at least 18

inches above the lowest point where the
excavation face begins to slope
 Shield systems must not be subjected to
loads exceeding those which the system
was designed to withstand
 Shields must be installed to restrict
hazardous movement
 Employees must be protected from the
hazard of cave-ins when entering or
exiting the areas protected by shields
 Employees must not be allowed in
shields when shields are being installed,
removed, or moved vertically
57
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.
58

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Trenching and Shoring

 Hundreds of workers killed annually from

 Introduce The Trenching & Shoring Safety

 Excavation - Any man-made cut, cavity, trench, or

 Shoring (shoring system) - A structure such as a

 Sloping (sloping system) - A method of protecting

Competent Person - One who is capable of identifying

Competent Person - One

CAVE-INS RESULT FROM:

DEPENDING ON THE DENSITY AND

3000lbs or more 100lbs or more

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

 Conduct inspections before each work shift

 Immediately call the Emergency

 What not to do:

 Utility lines must be located

 If permit to work is given, all precautionary

SOIL CLASSIFICATION MUST BE DONE BY A

 Plasticity or Wet Thread

Dry Strength Test

 Thumb Penetration Test

Type A soil is cohesive with an

Type B soil is cohesive soil with an

Type C soil is cohesive soil

TRENCHES MORE THAN 5 FEET:

TESTING AND CONTROLS:

 Don’t under estimate the

 When stability is endangered

 Daily inspections must be

 Guardrails must be provided for crossing over

 Temporary spoil shall be placed no closer than 2 feet from the

 Each employee must be

 DESIGN OF BENCHING AND

 Must be free from damage

 Support systems must be securely connected

EMPLOYEES MUST NOT BE PERMITTED TO WORK:

SLOPING and BENCHING

STABLE ROCK TYPE A

Simple slope excavation in Type A soil with a 3/4H: 1 V slope

Benched excavation in Type A soil with a maximum slope of 3/4H: 1 V.

Simple slope excavation in Type B soil with a 1 H:1 V slope

Multiple benched excavation in Type B soil with a slope of 1H:1V

Excavation in Type C soil with shielded vertically sided lower portions.

 OSHA TABLES PROVIDE SHORING DATA

Aluminum Hydraulic Shoring

 Shield systems must project at least 18

• The greatest risk in an excavation is a cave-in.

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