Excavations & Trenching

PPT-011-01 1
 Definitions
"Excavation" means any:
1. Man-made cut
2. Cavity
3. Trench
4. Depression in an earth surface, formed by
earth removal.

2
 Definitions
Confined space is a space that, by design and/or
configuration has:
1. Limited openings for entry and exit
2. Unfavorable natural ventilation
3. May contain or produce hazardous substances
4. Is not intended for continuous employee
occupancy.

3
 Objectives

Highlight the hazards of working in a

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.
 General Requirements
Before any excavation actually begins, the employer must
determine the estimated location of utility installations: Sewer,
telephone, fuel, electric, water lines, or any other under
ground installations that may be encountered during digging.
A competent person will inspect, on a daily basis, excavations
and adjacent areas for possible cave-ins, failure of protective
systems and equipment, hazardous atmospheres, or other
hazardous conditions.
Takes prompt corrective measures to eliminate hazards.
Adequate protective systems will be utilized to protect
employees. This can be accomplished through: Sloping,
Shoring, or Shielding.
 General Requirements
Workers must be supplied with and wear any PPE
deemed necessary to assure their protection.
Mechanical excavators and power tools should not be
used within 0.5 m
If a trench is 4 feet or deeper, stairways, ramps, or
ladders will be used.
The employees must not have to travel any more than
25 feet to reach the stairways, ramps, or ladders.
4 feet and more trenches Toxic and hazardous
atmosphere will be tested daily.
 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.
 Definitions
Cave-ins are perhaps the most feared trenching hazard.

But other potentially fatal hazards exist including:

Asphyxiation due to lack of oxygen in a confined

space

Inhalation of toxic fumes, drowning, etc.

Electrocution or explosions can occur when workers

contact underground utilities.
 Excavation Hazards
Surface encumbrances
Utilities
Access/Egress
Vehicle traffic
Falling loads
Mobile equipment
Hazardous atmospheres
Water accumulation
Adjacent structures
Loose rock or soil
Falls
Cave-in
 Definitions

Cave-In:

Means 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 or
immobilize a person.
 Anatomy of a Cave - In:

There is usually no warning before a cave-in

Causes of Cave Ins
 Causes of Cave Ins

When water is present

in an excavation it is
extremely hazardous
to enter. Also no head
protection
 Causes of Cave Ins

Note: telephone pole

adjacent to
excavation, not
supported / removed
 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

16
 Diagram of a cave in

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 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.

19
 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.

20
 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.

21
 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.

22
Requirements for protective systems

Protection of employees in Materials and equipment

excavations Installation and removal

Design of sloping and

benching systems
Design of support systems,
shield systems, and other
protective systems

23
 Protection of employees in excavations
(1) Each employee in an excavation shall be protected from
cave-ins by an adequate protective system designed in except
when:
(i) Excavations are made entirely in stable rock; or
(ii) Excavations are less than 5 feet (1.52 m) in depth and
examination of the ground by a competent person
provides no indication of a potential cave-in.

24
 Cave-in Hazard

Inadequate protective system

This excavation
has inadequate
support posts and
egress access.

PPT-011-01 25
 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 26
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 27
 Shoring
General

Provides a framework in which to work

Uses walls, cross braces and uprights
Supports excavation walls
Must know soil type
Must know depth and width of excavation

28
Trench Shield

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

PPT-011-01 29
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 30
 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 31
 Protection from Vehicles

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

32
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 33
 Spoil Piles

Dont 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.

34
 Other Excavation Hazards

Water accumulation

Oxygen deficiency

Mobile equipment

Access/egress

Toxic fumes

Falls

PPT-011-01 35
Access

The ladder should extend

3 feet above the
excavation
 Access

These two
ladders which
are lashed
together are not
an adequate
means of egress

The ladder
should extend 3
rungs above the
top of the
excavation
Ladder to be 1 Meter Above Wall
 Excavation Protection Systems

There are three basic protective systems used

in excavations and trenches:

1. Sloping and Benching Systems

1. Shoring Systems

2. Shielding Systems
Simple Sloping
Benching
 Shoring Systems

Support system for

trench faces used to
prevent movement of
soil, underground
utilities, foundations.

There are two basic

types of shoring,
timber and aluminum
hydraulic.
Shoring Systems
Timber Shoring Installations
Hydraulic Shoring
Pneumatic Shoring
 Shielding Systems

A- Trench Boxes:

The space between

the outside of the
trench box and the
face of the trench
should be small as
possible, and
backfilled to prevent
lateral movement of
the box.
 Excavation Inspections

Daily Inspections of ALL excavations by Competent

Person at Start of shift, or as needed, following
rainstorms or other hazard-increasing event:

Possible cave-ins
Protective system failure
Water accumulation
Hazardous atmospheres

Competent person has authority to remove workers from

the excavation
 Inadequate Protective System

This excavation
has inadequate
support posts
and egress
access.
 Inadequate Protective System

This worker is in a
trench with no
protective system,
that is not sloped
or benched and has
no means of egress.
 Hazardous Condition

The weight and

vibrations of the
machinery above
make this a very
hazardous condition.

They should not be

working under any
machinery.
 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.
 Hazardous Atmosphere

Test excavations more

than 4 feet before an
employee enters the
excavation for:

Oxygen deficiency.

High combustible gas

concentration.

High levels of other

hazardous substances.
 Means of egress

Means of egress from trench excavations:

1. A stairway, ladder, ramp or other safe
means of egress shall be located in trench
excavations that are 4 feet (1.22 mm) or
more in depth.
2. A means of egress should require no
more than 25 feet (7.62 m) of lateral travel
for any employee to reach.

54
 Inspections
Daily inspections of excavations, the adjacent
areas, and protective systems shall be made by a
competent person for evidence of a situation that
could result in:
1. Possible cave-ins
2. Indications of failure of protective systems
3. Hazardous atmospheres
4. Other hazardous conditions.

55
 Inspections Cont.
An inspection shall be conducted by the competent
person:
1. Prior to the start of work and as needed
throughout the shift.
2. After every rainstorm or other hazard
increasing occurrence.
3. These inspections are only required when
employee exposure can be reasonably anticipated.

56
 Safety considerations

Excavation is one of the most hazardous

types of work in the construction industry
Accidents result from inadequate
planning
Build safety into pre-bid planning
Plan safety into the job. Consider:
Traffic
Nearness of structures and their conditions
Soil
 Safety considerations

Plan safety into the job. Consider:

Surface and ground water
Water table
Overhead/ underground utilities
Weather
 Jobsite safety and health programs

Establish and maintain a safety and health

program for the worksite

Provide adequate systematic policies,

procedures, practices

Recognize job-related safety/health hazards

 Jobsite safety and health programs

Safety and health programs should reflect the

unique characteristics of the jobsite

Proper implementation depends on

cooperation among:
supervisors
employee groups
individual employees
 Locating utilities
Employers must determine the estimated
locations of utility installations
Contact utility companies before starting
excavation
Utility owners must attempt to find exact
location of utilities
Proceed with caution if the exact location of
utilities cannot be found
Use safe and acceptable means to locate exact
locations of installations
 Safety starts at the surface
Surface encumbrances that create hazards must be
removed/supported
Wear warning vests when near traffic
Employees must be trained to operate heavy
equipment
Stay away from loads being handled by
lifting/digging equipment
 Safety starts at the surface
Warn mobile equipment operators about
the edge of the excavation site
Keep the grade away from the excavation
site
Stay away from vehicles being
loaded/unloaded
Employee access/egress from excavations

Ramps must be designed by a competent person

Ramps must be structurally sound and not create a
tripping hazard
Use surface treatments on ramps to prevent slipping
Trenches 4 or more feet deep need a safe means of
egress
Stairway
Ladder
Ramps
Means of egress must be fixed and secure
 this is one example of a permit-
required confined space

always follow your companys permit procedures,

even if you are going in for just a second
 this confined space may be oxygen deficient or contain
flammable, combustible, or toxic gases or vapors

test the atmosphere in this order: oxygen content,

then flammables, then toxics, then other hazards
test the atmosphere at all levels of the confined space; good
air near the opening doesnt mean good air at the bottom

Good Air

Deadly Air
 the atmosphere inside a confined
space may not be suitable for entry

forced-air ventilation may be used, but you are not

permitted to enter until the atmosphere is suitable
 atmospheric conditions may change
while you are in the confined space

periodically monitor the atmosphere

within the confined space
 Get Out!
If a hazardous atmosphere is detected
while a worker is in the confined space
all activities should stop
the worker(s) should exit immediately
the hazard should be evaluated
protective measures should be taken
 if a worker must wear a respirator, remember that an air-purifying
respirator will do nothing in an oxygen deficient atmosphere

these workers are wearing air-supplying

respirators due to a lack of oxygen
 adequate illumination should be
provided where lighting is limited

in some cases, explosion-proof

lighting may be necessary