Electrical Association

Toolbox Talks - Excavations

• 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 possible cave-ins, failure of protective systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions.
• Each employee in an excavation will be protected from cave-ins by a protective system, except when excavations are made entirely in stable rock or excavations are less than 5 feet in depth and examination of the ground by a competent person provides no indication of a potential cave-in.
• Means of egress from trench excavations - A stairway, ladder, ramp or other safe means of egress shall be located in trench excavations that are 4 feet or more in depth so as to require no more than 25 feet of lateral travel for employees.
• Employees must be protected from excavated or other materials or equipment that could pose a hazard by falling or rolling into excavations. Protection will be provided by placing and keeping materials or equipment at least 2 feet from the edge of excavations, or by the use of retaining devices that are sufficient to prevent materials or equipment from falling or rolling into the excavation.
• Don't work in trenches with accumulating water. Make sure it's controlled before you begin work.
• Exposed piping should be supported every 30 feet at a minimum.
• Some excavations can be a potential confined space. Be aware of toxic gases, especially working near landfills, septic tanks, etc.
• Before digging, confirm that the "One Call" has been completed.
• Write down or be aware of the ticket number that they issue for your jobsite.

Q: Can you identify problems with this trench?

A: The worker is in a trench with no protective system. The trench is not sloped or benched. The trench has no means of egress.

*Source: MN OSHA. Safety Lines