Excavation

Safety

SCD-OSHC
OBJECTIVE

From time to time as a supervisor, you

may be called on to head a project work for
anexcavationortrenchingoperationsatyour
facility.
Or, perhaps you may be called on to
oversee such a project in another area
where work is to be performed by your
own people or an outside contractor. In
either case, if you are associated with
the work and a member of supervision,
youhavetheneedandtheresponsibility
toseetoitthattheworkisdoneinasafe
andefficientmanner.
 Eachyearyouhearofalinebroken,ora
cablecutintoduringsomesortofan
excavation.Worseyet,youmayfrequently
readastoryaboutacave-inthateither
trappedorkilledoneormoreworkers.
Theseunscheduledshutdownsand
tragediesareeasilyavoidedinafewbasic
proceduresarefollowed.
 EXPECTED RESULTS

ThisModuleisdesignedtofamiliarizeyouto
the key requirements which should be met
beforeandduringanyexcavation,trenching,or
concrete breaking work. Groundbreaking or
Excavation andTrenching procedures should
be thoroughly understood and used. If no
formal excavation program is in place, this
Modulemayprovidesomegeneralguidanceon
things to be considered in proper excavation
precautions.

 INTRODUCTION
The headlines read PROCESS LINE
RUPTURE AT LOCAL SITE or TWO
DIE IN CAVE-IN Headlines we can
do without . . . .
The two situations headlined earlier may
result in one or more undesirable
consequences the facilitys operation is
interrupted, governmental agency
investigation and possible citation,
criminal liability may be established,
unnecessary bad publicity, loss of
customers or product, Workers
Compensation claims, not to mention the
possible injuries to employees.
Once an accident or loss occurs, it is
difficult to pick and choose the
consequences. You cant easily
control them at that point. But, what
you can do by careful planning, site
preparation, and control during the
job, will prevent those headlines from
ever getting a chance to appear.
 DEFINITIONS

Before you begin a job, you need to be

familiar with some of the technical
jargon.
 Soil
is a mixture of sand, gravel, silts, clay,
water,andair.Itistheamountsofthese
ingredients which determines its
cohesiveness,howwellasoilwillhold
together.
 Cohesive Soil
does not crumble. It can be molded
easilywhenwet,andishardtobreak
upwhendry.
Clayisaveryfinegrainedsoil,andis
very cohesive. Sand and gravel are
coursedgrainedsoils.
 Excavation
isanyman-madecut,cavityor
depressioninanearthsurfacethat
isformedbyearthremoval.

h
 Trench
isanarrowexcavationwherethe
depth(d)isgreaterthanitswidth
(w),andthewidthmeasuredat
thebottomisnotgreaterthan15
ft.

h
 Difference between Trench and
Excavation

5'
10'
10%
5 10

10

Excavation
5 Trench
 AngleofReposeisthegreatestangleabovethe
horizontal plane at which a material will lay without
sliding.(SeeFigureA)Thischartdemonstratesthe
needforgreaterslopewithlessstablesoil.

Figure A
Excavation approximate
angle of repose for sloping
sides
 Cave-ins is the collapse of unsupported trench
faces
Physics of a Cave-in
The stress of a cubic foot column of soil is
100 lbs. per square foot (psf). So the
vertical load of that one-foot-by-one-foot
column of soil five (5) feet down is 500
psf. When an excavation is cut, the soil in
the wall begins to move, however slowly,
into the excavation. Cracks will
eventually develop away from the
excavations edge, and the weight of the
soil between the excavation and the crack
is no longer carried by the soil behind the
crack. This causes the lower part of the
excavation wall to fail first, the upper part
of the wall then falls, and a third cave-in
can quickly occur.
 Regulations
The worker in the picture is more
than five feet deep and there is
no shoring, sloping, or shielding.
Employees who work in an
excavation five or more feet
and not in solid rock must be
adequately protected from
cave-ins.

He also doesnt appear to have a harness with a lifeline to get

him out, as required when entering a deep and confined footing
excavation.

ConcreteBreakingreferstothedemolitionby
handorpowertoolsintoslabsor
foundationswhereunderlyingor
embeddedutilitylinemaybepresent.

 Shoringastructuralmeansofsupportingthe
faceofanexcavationortrench.(SeeFigureB)

Figure B
 Sides,WallsorFacesaretheverticalor
inclinedearthensurfacesformedasaresultofthe
excavationwork.
SidewallShearaportionofthefaceshears
awayandfallsin.(SeeFigureC)

Figure C
 Slough-inaportionofthesidefaceorwall
slidesinandleavesanoverhang.(SeeFigureD)

Figure D

 Spoilisthepileofmaterialexcavatedfromthe
trench.Aslidemayoccurifthematerialisntback
farenough.(SeeFigureE)

Figure E
Move spoil pile farther back for deep trenches
1m 1m 1m
 TensionCracksorSubsidencearecracksinthe
groundinthetrench.Theyindicatethegroundhas
shiftedandareconsideredwarningsignsofunsafe
conditions(SeeFigureF)

Figure F
 TrenchBox(Shield)isaself-containedshoring
systemmadeofsteelplacewhichwillsupportthe
wallsofatrenchfromthegroundleveltothetrench
bottom.Itcanbemovedastheworkprogresses.
(SeeFigureG)

Figure G
ZoneofExposureistheareawhereworkersare
exposedtothemassmovementofsoil,rock,or
constructionmaterials(SeeFigureH)

Figure H
EquivalentWeightEffect(We)istheweight
effectstipulatedbySoilClassification.It
isusedtocalculatethepressureson
shoringsystems.

 Many Factors Affecting Trench Stability

Rain

Insufficient Shoring

Large Load Vibration

Cracks
Setting Cracks

Water Seepage High Water

Table
Broken Line
How to dig your own grave
Excavator Spoils
bucket over Too close
worker
No hard hat No means for
No Protective entering or
exiting
System
 Hazards of Excavation Works
SoilCollapse
Falls
VehicularTraffic
Underground/Overhead
Utilities
WorkingSurface
ConfinedSpace
Conditions
SoilCollapse
Mechanics of Soil Collapse
Principal Causes of Soil Collapse
Steepcuttingangle
Superimposedload
Shock&Vibration
WaterPressure
Drying
 Protective System
1. Sloping walls may
help to prevent trench
collapse by shifting
soil weight away
from workers. Type A soil: simple and multiple benches
Sloping involves
digging trench walls
at an angle leading
away from the trench
opening.

Type B soil: simple and multiple benches

2. Shoring trench walls involves placing metal plates on
either side of the trench. Walls can be kept in place with
spacers that are cut to match trench width, or by use of a
hydraulic system. Hydraulics provide constant, even
pressure on walls to prevent collapse.

Horizontal Shore Vertical Shore

3. Shielding is similar to shoring,
but, with this method, all four
sides of the trench can be
protected. One common shield
type is the trench box.
Trench boxes are often assembled
outside the trench and lowered
into place. Many boxes come in
standard sizes, typically ranging
from 8 feet (approximately 2.4 m)
to 24 feet (approximately 7.3 m).
Trench Shield
 Falls
Minimum Berm Excavated materials shall be
keptfromtheedgeofthe excavationtoprovide
aclearbermofadistance;
not less than one third of the depth of the

excavation
may be reduced to not less than 1 meter

provided that materials are stable, and

barriersarepresent
 Falls

Barricadesofatleast1
meter highshouldbe
provided.

Signsshouldbeposted
topreventthepublicfrom
goingnearthe
excavation.
 Vehicular Traffic
Provideworkerswith
warningvestsorother
suitablegarments
markedwith
reflectorizedmaterials
Designateatrained
flagpersonalongwith
signsandbarricades
whennecessary
Usehornorgivesignals
toensuresafety.
 Vehicular Traffic
On trenching projects along public roadways, the
construction crew must be protected from traffic.
Regulations specify the following methods for
protecting personnel:
 Traffic Control
traffic control persons (TCPs) using signs
warning signs
barriers
lane control devices
flashing lights or flares.

Supervisors must train TCPs on site and explain the nature of the
project, where construction equipment will be operating, and how
public traffic will flow. TCPs must wear a fluorescent or bright
orange safety vest.
Training must also include the proper use of the STOP/SLOW
sign, where to stand, how to signal, and communication with
other TCPs.
 Surface Crossing of Trenches
Walkwaysorbridges
mustbeprovided
Minimumclearwidth
of20in.
Withstandardrails
Extendedaminimum
of24in.pastthe
surfaceedge
 Working Surface

Excavationshallbe
keptfreeofwateratall
times
Andinmuddyarea,
workersshouldbe
providedwithbootsto
reducethehazardof
v slipping.

h
 Underground Utilities

Determinelocationof
undergroundfacilitiesand
takenecessarystepsto
preventdamagetothese
facilities.
Inanopenexcavation,
support,protector
removeunderground
installation.
 Mechanical Excavator

Mechanical excavation equipment should not be

used within the boundary limits of the locate
without first digging a hole or holes using the
procedure below to determine the underground
utility's exact centre line and elevation
 Precautions
Before starting work, use barricades and signs to inform
unauthorized personnel to keep out.
Employers must ensure that workers are properly trained on
the machine they are using.
When exposing underground power utilities the operators
should use bonding mats.
Use a fall-protection system when required.
Keep clear of the vacuum. It is powerful and can cause serious
injury or even death if you are caught in the tube.
Some utility owners set limits for the water pressure that can
be used near their buried plan. Check with the utility owner
before excavating.
 Precautions (Cont.n)
Keep away from the operation if you ar not directly involved
in the work.
Wear hearing protection if working in vicinity of the hydrovac
truck.
Be aware of the hazards, such as slips from the runoff water
and ice during the winter.
Wear appropriate eye and face protection such as safety
glasses and faceshields.
They will protect you from getting any airbourne debris
(caused by splashing) in your eyes.
Keep clear of the vacuum. It is powerful and can cause serious
injury or even death if you are caught in the tube.
 Overhead Powerlines

When equipment operates within reach of (and could

therefore encroach on) the minimum permitted distance
from a live overhead powerline, the constructor must
have written procedures in place to prevent the
equipment from encroaching on the minimum distance.
 Overhead Powerlines

Keep people away from machine if there is Voltage differential across the ground
a powerline contact. Stay on the machine can injure or kill you.
unless there is an emergency such as fire.

Voltage Rating of Powerline Minimum Distance

750 or more volts, but not 3 metres (10')
more than 150,000 volts
More than 150,000 but 4.5 metres (15')
not more than 250,000 volts
More than 250,000 volts 6 metres (20')
 Confined Spaces
A confined space is defined as a place
a) that is partially or fully enclosed

b) that is not both designed and constructed for continuous

human occupancy, and

c) where atmospheric hazards may occur

because of its construction, location, or contents, or because of

work that is done in it.

All three critera have to be met before a space is defined as a

confined space.
 Confined Spaces (cont.n.)
In the sewer and watermain industry, confined spaces can be
locations such as excavations, manholes, valve chambers, pump
stations, and catch basins. The atmosphere in these spaces may be
toxic

oxygen-deficient

oxygen-enriched

Explosive

Sewage not only smells bad but can create dangerous atmospheres.
Decaying waste releases hazardous gases such as hydrogen sulfide
and methane. The bacteria in sewage are not only a source of
infection but can also consume oxygen and leave the atmosphere
oxygen-deficient.
 Confined Space Conditions

HazardousAtmosphere:
Oxygen,O2:<19.5%or>23.5%
Flammablegasconcentration>10%of
LowerFlammabilityLimit(LFL)
Hazardoustoxicchemicals
 Confined Space Conditions
Excavationinconfinedspace
Checktheconditionoftheatmosphere

beforeentry
Donotworkaloneinaconfinedspace

Providelifeline

Provideventilationorblowerbeforeentering

Provideemergencyrescueequipmentsuch

asbreathingapparatus,safetyharnessand
lineandbasketstretcher
 The Three (3) Basic Types of Soil

Type AMoststable:clay
Type BMediumstability:siltandunstable
rock(disturbedsoilastypeB)
Type CLeaststable:gravel,loamysand,
submergedsoil,soilfromwhichwaterisfreely
seeping.
v

h
 The Three (3) Basic Types of Soil

Type A-IntactHardSoils:whichareusually
clay-like,abovewatertablewithnoinclined
layerstowardthetrench.Itsequivalent
weighteffectis20lb/cubicftandsteepest
allowableslopeis:1foratrench12ftdeep
orless.
Type ASoil

A soil cannot be considered Type A if it is

fissuredorotherconditionsexiststhatcanbe
adverselyaffectit,suchasbeingsubjectto;

vibrationfromheavytraffic
piledriving
orsimilareffectshavingpreviously
disturbed/excavated

 The Three (3) Basic Types of Soil

Type B-Medium:equivalentweighteffectis
40lb/cubicftandsteepestallowableslopeis
:1oratrench12feetdeeporless.
 Type BSoil

Soil include both cohesive and non-

cohesive soils. They include silts, sandy
loams, medium clays, and unstable rock.
Soils that might be classified as A, but
have fissures, or are subject to vibration,
mayalsobeclassifiedasBsoils.
 The Three (3) Basic Types of Soil

Type C -Saturated,Submerged,orSoft:
equivalentweighteffectis80lb/cubicftand
whosesteepestallowableslopeis1:1fora
trench12feetdeeporless.
 Type CSoil

Most unstable (and therefore most

dangerous).Theyareeasilyrecognizedby
thecontinualsloughingofthesidesofthe
walls of excavation. If the soil is
submerged, or water is seeping from the
sides of an excavation is dug in layered
soils,wheredifferent soiltypes lay on top
of eah other. If an unstable soil type is
underneath a stable soil type, you should
alwaysconsidertheweakestlink
TIMBERING OF TRENCHES
SOILS
 Prevention of Soil Collapse

Per Rule 1413 of the Occupational

Safety and Health Standards (OSHS):

Thewallsofeveryexcavationover 1
meter deep (3 ft.)shallbesupported
byadequateshoringandtimberingto
preventcollapse.
 When the depth of trench is large, or when the
sub-soil is loose, the sides of the trench my
cave in. The problem can be solved by
adopting suitable method of timbering.
Timbering of trenches, sometimes also known
as shoring consists of providing timber planks
or boards and struts to give temporary support
to the sides of the trench. Timbering of deep
trenches can be done with the help of the
following methods:
 Trenching Methods

1. Stay bracing - This method is used for supporting the

sides or a bench excavated in fairly firm soil, when the depth of
excavation does not exceed about 2 meters. The method consists
of placing vertical sheets (called sheathing) or polling boards
opposite each other against the two walls of the trench holding
them in position by one or two rows of struts. The sheets are
placed at an interval of 2 to 4 meters and generally, they extend
to the full height of the trench. The polling boards may have
width of about 200 mm and thickness of 44 to 55mm. The struts
may have 100 x 100mm for trench width and 200 x 200 mm for
trench up to 4m width,
 2. Box sheeting This method is adopted in loose
soils, when the depth of excavation does not exceed 4
meters. Figure 2.32 (a) shows the box like structure
consisting of vertical sheets placed very near to each
other (sometimes touching each other) and keeping
them in position by longitudinal rows (usually two) of
wales. Struts are then provided across the wales.
Another system of box sheathing is adopted for very
loose soils. In this system, the sheeting is provided
longitudinally, and they are supported by vertical
wales and horizontal struts. If the height is more,
braces are also provided along with struts.
 3. Vertical sheeting This system is adopted for
deep trenches (up to 10m depth) in soft ground.
The method is similar to the box sheeting (Figure
2.32 a) except that the excavation is carried out in
stages and at the end of each stage, an offset is
provided, so that the width of the trench goes on
decreasing as the depth increases. Each stage is
limited to about 3 meters in height and the offset
may vary from 25 cm per stage. For each stage,
separate vertical sheeting, supported and struts are
provided.
 4. Runner system This system is used in extremely
loose and soft ground, which needs immediate
support as excavation progresses. The system is
similar to vertical sheeting of box system, except that
in the place of vertical sheeting, runners, made of
long thick wooden sheets or planks with iron shoe at
the ends, are provided. Wales and struts are provided
as usual (Fig. 2.34). These runners are driven about
30cm in advance of the progress of the work, by
hammering.
 5. Sheet piling This method is adopted when (i)
soil to be excavated is soft or loose (ii) depth of
excavation is large (iii) width of trench is also large
an (iv) there is sub-soil water. Sheet piles are
designed resist lateral earth pressure. These are driven
on the ground by mechanical means (pile driving
equipment). They can be used for excavating to a
very large depth.
Sheet Piles
Plate Lining System Box Type
Shielding
Ingress and Egress
(Ladder)
Ingress and Egress
(Ladder)

X X
Getting in and out of an excavation

An excavation that has a depth of four feet or more

must have a means for entering and exiting such as a
stairway, ladder, or ramp within 25 feet of
employees; their safety may depend on how quickly
they can climb out. Structural ramps that are used to
enter and exit the excavation must have nonslip
surfaces and be designed by a competent person.
A competent person must also evaluate ramps made
from soil that are used to enter and exit an excavation.
 Working in Excavation
Priortoopening
Checkexcavationpermit

Identifyallundergroundinstallations

Removetrees,boulders,stumps,other

surfaceencumbrancesandhazards
beforestartingexcavation
 Working in Excavation
Duringoperations
WearappropriatePPE

Givespecialattentiontosideslopes

thatareadverselyaffectedbyweather,
moisturecontentorvibration
Safeworkingdistancebetweenworkers

Maintainguardrails,fences,orother

barricadesandwarninglights
 Working in Excavation

Duringbreaktime,workmenshould
neverstandortakerestonhighbanks
ofsoftmaterial
Donotleavetools,materials,ordebris
inwalkways,ramps,orneartheedgeof
excavations
Donotuseguardrailsasrestingplace
 Inspection
Dailybeforestartofeachshift
Afterheavyrain
Whenfissures,tensioncracks,undercutting,
waterseepage,bulgingatthebottomor
otherconditionsoccur
Whenthereisanyindicationofchangeor
movementinadjacentstructuresorspoilpile

Rule 1413 of the OSHS states that excavation

shall be inspected at least once everyday.
 About Trench Accidents
Keep in mind that one cubic foot of soil
weighs about 100 pounds and only 2 feet of
soil on a chest or back area is anywhere
from 700-1000 pounds. In all likelihood
death in a few minutes!
OSHA statistics show that trench accident
victims are experienced workers, over 90%
were over 30 years old, 28% of which were
over 50 in one study.
 Soil type is a factor in trench accidents: 39%
occurred in clay and/or mud type, 25% in
sandy soil and 12% in silty clay or wet
dirt. The remaining occurred in sand,
gravel/clay, or rock. Over half of the soil
conditions at the time of the cave-ins looked
good. They were solid and tightly packed at
the time.
 Do not allow gasoline or gas welding/cutting
equipment to be stored in the trench. It should be
stored outside the Zone of Exposure. If cutting
equipment is used, it should be manned on top.
If you have intersecting trenches, the weak
corners must be shored.
If water is a problem, it must be continuously
pumped out. The sheeting must be driven below
the water line.
 If water is a problem, it must be continuously
pumped out. The sheeting must be driven
below the water line.
Open excavations, trenches and their Zones of
Exposure need to be properly barricaded with
warning lights at night.
These are a few things about shoring:
Shoring is installed from the top down, never
from the bottom up. It is removed from the
bottom up.
 In any casePlan! It may also be a good
idea to review the possible or likely
emergency situations which might occur
on a particular job, just prior to starting
the work. Make sure your people know
how to turn in an alarm to get emergency
help promptly, just in case.
 JOB COMPLETION

ONCE THE WORK IS COMPLETED,

YOU SHOULD SEE TO IT THAT THE
WORKERS REMOVE THE SHORING
FROM THE BOTTOM UP. In unstable
soil conditions, ropes should be used to
haul it up.
 Once the shoring is out, make sure the
area is backfilled quickly. Make sure
there is enough fill to allow for
settling. It is a good idea to drive or
embed some kind of marker for future
line identification. Always see to it your
site drawings are updated accurately. It
may prevent a lot of problems in the
future.
 If there were problems or hazards
discovered during the job, make sure they
are reviewed. If your sites procedures
werent followed by a contractor, it is a
good idea to advise your locations
purchasing authority.
 SUMMARY
You easily see that planning and good
experience is necessary to avoid serious
tragedy or interruption of your operation
when it comes time to dig a hole or
break up some concrete.
 It takes more than signing a Permit to assure
the work goes smoothly and safely. A lot of
mutual effort on the part of the contractor,
yourself, site engineering, purchasing, and
especially location management, will
determine an uneventful, but successful job.

Included is a short checklist which you

might find useful in thinking through a job
requiring excavation, trenching, or concrete
breaking.
 CONCLUSION
Remember:
Anexcavationmaynotbesafetoenterwithout

apropersupportstructurebeingprovided.
Back-filledgroundareespeciallydangerous.

Waterincreasesthepossibilityofacavein.

Excavationshouldbeconsideredasaconfined

space.
Aworkerdoesnothavetobecompletely

buriedinsoiltobeseriouslyinjuredorkilled.
 Thank You!

Have a nice week!!!