Trenching
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OSHA
Office of Construction & Engineering
Yes, there really
is a worker in the bottom of the 35-foot trench. No, it wasnt staged.
Yes, the company was cited for lack of cave-in protection.
OSHA s National Emphasis Program (NEP) for Trenches requires all
compliance officers to be on the lookout for trenching and excavation
worksites. OSHA will inspect worksites where trenching hazards have been
observed and reported either by the public or an OSHA compliance
officer.
So far this year, the Illinois Area Offices have conducted 133 inspections
under the Trench Program, or 15% of the 864 construction inspections conducted.
As reported in the last edition, more than half of the lack of cave-in
protection citations in Region 5s Federal OSHA offices (Illinois,
Ohio, and Wisconsin) were issued here in Illinois. Lack of cave-in protection
is #3 on the Most Frequently Violated Standards List.
If trenching hazards
are so great (people die in trenches) and the means to correct the problem
is so easy (trench boxes, shoring), why do we still find so many trenches
with no cave-in protection?
Unfortunately, we find that sometimes people are willing to take chances.
Some of the excuses we hear include: the worker was only going
to be in the trench for a few seconds; weve been doing this for
years and never had a problem; the trench box is down the street and it
was too much trouble to get it for just a few minutes; and so on.
Lets face it, there really arent any excuses for not providing
cave-in protection. In this edition you will find information on trenching
standards and what OSHA looks for in a competent person. More information
is available on the OSHA web site: www.osha.gov.
You can also call the OSHA area office and ask for help (we don't
have caller id).
Temporary spoil must be placed no closer than 2 ft. from the surface
edge of the excavation, measured from the nearest base of the spoil to
the cut. This distance should 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 employees 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.
Competent Person
1926.651(k)(1) requires a competent person make daily inspections of excavations,
the adjacent areas, and protective systems for evidence of a situation
that could result in possible cave-ins, indications of failure of protective
systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions.
We are frequently asked what a competent person is. The employer
has the responsibility to designate the competent person
When OSHA shows up for an inspection, the compliance officer will ask
the employers competent person a series of questions to find out
if the competent person can detect the hazards on-site and if they have
the authority to take corrective action. OSHA frequently finds that the
competent person is quite knowledgeable about the hazards, and how to
correct them. They usually have many years of experience in the industry.
However, they may have no authority to correct problems. If they cant,
they are not a competent person.
The designated competent person should have and be able to demonstrate
the following:
- Training, experience,
and knowledge of:
- Soil analysis;
- Use of protective
systems; and
- Requirements
of 29CFR Part 1926 Subpart P
- 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.
Slope and Shield
Configurations for Type A, B and C soils
1926.652 Appendix
B contains specifications for sloping and benching when used as methods
of protecting employees working in excavations from cave-ins.
This paper appears in the eLCOSH website with the permission of the author
and/or copyright holder and may not be reproduced without their consent.
eLCOSH is an information clearinghouse. eLCOSH and its sponsors are not
responsible for the accuracy of information provided on this web site,
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