Excavations

OSHA
Competent
Person Course
2 Pre-planning
Pre-Planning

 Appoint a Excavations Competent Person

 Utilities
 Call before you dig.
 Find electrical line both above and below the surface.
 Water lines could result in flooding.
 Gas lines could result in fire, explosion, or leaks.
 Sewer line could result in Bio hazards.
 Lock out and tag out these lines.
 WARNING: Note where the underground utilities run. If you
excavate near these lines the soil will be less stable than virgin soil.
Pre-Planning
 Soil Evaluation
 Determine the class of soil.
 Then select the protective system based on the soil classification.

 Site History
 What was the site used for in the past
 Is soil contaminated
 Is there any backfilled areas. (This soil will be less stable)
 Are there any abandoned tanks or lines.
Pre-Planning

 Select the protective system based on the soil classification.

Selecting the Correct Protective
System.
The employer shall
select and
construct:
 Sloping and benching
systems
 Support (shoring)
systems, shield systems,
and other protective
systems.
 Engineered systems.
Sided Trenches Must be Protected Too
Select Sloping When?

 Where there is room you

may slope.
 Room for spoil piles
 Room for equipment and
materials
 Room for buildings and
structures
 Along the entire path of the
excavation as you may not
have the room to slope.
 May need to select more
than one protective system.
Surface Encumbrances
 1926.651(i)(1)Where the stability of
adjoining buildings, walls, or other
structures is endangered by
excavation operations, support
systems such as shoring, bracing,
or underpinning shall be provided
to ensure the stability of such
structures for the protection of
employees.

 Note: Adjacent structures

may take away your
option to slope the
excavation’s sides!
Difference Between Shoring and
Shielding
• Prevents movement of soil, buildings,
Shoring – roadways, etc..
Supports • Timber and hydraulic.
• Are light - can be installed by workers.
trench walls. • Will interfere with long handled tools

Shielding – • Provides for worker safety only

Gives little to • Not used near existing surface
encumbrances, buildings, manholes, and
no support to utilities.
trench walls. • Are heavy and need equipment to install.
Shoring Systems Selection

Use
shoring •Where you need to
systems support buildings,
when roads, surface
there is not encumbrances,
enough and previous
room for excavations.
sloping.
Two Types of Shoring
Two Types of Shoring
OSHA Designed Shoring – Can’t Use
Shielding Systems Selection

 Use shielding Backfill is less stable!

systems when there
is not enough room
for sloping.
 Butnot where you
need to support
buildings, roads,
surface
encumbrances, and
previous
excavations. Shield systems will not prevent soil
movement or the breaking of utilities.
WARNING
 Don’t use systems
designed for class A
soils in Class B or C
soils.
 Don’t use systems
designed for class B
soils in Class C soils.
 Class
A or B systems are
weaker and thus
cheaper.
Shoring/Shielding Systems

• Less digging
• Less trucking excavated
material from the job site.
• Less spoil.
• Less roadway and lawn
Advantages restoration.
Over Sloping:
Plan Employee Training

 PotentialHazards
 Causes and Prevention of Cave-in
 The Protective System Used
Sloping
Shielding
Shoring

 General Safe Work Practices