excavating a manhole

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- (iv) A registered professional engineer has approved the determination that such excavation work will not pose a hazard to employees. - (3) Sidewalks, pavements, and appurtenant structure shall not be undermined unless a support system or another method of protection is provided to protect employees from the possible collapse of such structures. - (j) Protection of employees from loose rock or soil. (1) Adequate protection shall be provided to protect employees from loose rock or soil that could pose a hazard by falling or rolling from an excavation face. Such protection shall consist of scaling to remove loose material; installation of protective barricades at intervals as necessary on the face to stop and contain falling material; or other means that provide equivalent protection. - (2) Employees shall be protected from excavated or other materials or equipment that could pose a hazard by falling or rolling into excavations. Protection shall be provided by placing and keeping such materials or equipment at least 2 feet (.61 m) 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 excavations, or by a combination of both if necessary. - (k) Inspections. (1) 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, indications of failure of protective systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions. An inspection shall be conducted by the competent person prior to the start of work and as needed throughout the shift. Inspections shall also be made after every rainstorm or other hazard increasing occurrence. These inspections are only required when employee exposure can be reasonably anticipated. - (2) Where the competent person finds evidence of a situation that could result in a possible cave-in, indications of failure of protective sys…

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<!-- image --> ## SPECIFIC EXCAVATION REQUIREMENTS Oregon Administrative Rules Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division - (ii) Ramps and runways constructed of two or more structural members shall have the structural members connected together to prevent displacement. - (iii) Structural members used for ramps and runways shall be of uniform thickness. - (iv) Cleats or other appropriate means used to connect runway structural members shall be attached to the bottom of the runway or shall be attached in a manner to prevent tripping. - (v) Structural ramps used in lieu of steps shall be provided with cleats or other surface treatments on the top surface to prevent slipping. - (2) 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 (1.22 m) or more in depth so as to require no more than 25 feet (7.62 m) of lateral travel for employees. - (d) Exposure to vehicular traffic. Employees exposed to public vehicular traffic shall be provided with, and shall wear, warning vests or other suitable garments marked with or made of reflectorized or high-visibility material. - (e) Exposure to falling loads. No employee shall be permitted underneath loads handled by lifting or digging equipment. Employees shall be required to stand away from any vehicle being loaded or unloaded to avoid being struck by any spillage or falling materials. Operators may remain in the cabs of vehicles being loaded or unloaded when the vehicles are equipped, in accordance with §1926.601(b)(6), to provide adequate protection for the operator during loading and unloading operations. - (f) Warning system for mobile equipment. When mobile equipment is operated adjacent to an excavation, or when such equipment is required to approach the edge of an excavation, and the operator does not have a clear and direct view of the edge of the excavation, a warning system shall be utilized such as barricades, han…

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Division 2 AO 6-2017 Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division - (i) Metal measuring tapes, metal measuring ropes, or tapes containing conductive strands may not be used when working near exposed energized parts. - (ii) Where it is necessary to measure clearances from energized parts, only non-conductive devices shall be used. - (o) Underground lines. The provisions of this paragraph apply to the guarding of manholes and street openings, and to the ventilation and testing for gas in manholes and unvented vaults, where telecommunications field work is performed on or with underground lines. - (1) Guarding manholes and street openings. - (i) When covers of manholes or vaults are removed, the opening shall be promptly guarded by a railing, temporary cover, or other suitable temporary barrier which is appropriate to prevent an accidental fall through the opening and to protect employees working in the manhole from foreign objects entering the manhole. - (ii) While work is being performed in the manhole, a person with basic first aid training shall be immediately available to render assistance if there is cause for believing that a safety hazard exists, and if the requirements contained in paragraphs (d)(1) and (o)(1)(i) of this section do not adequately protect the employee(s). Examples of manhole work site hazards which shall be considered to constitute a safety hazard include, but are not limited to: - (A) Manhole work sites where safety hazards are created by traffic patterns that cannot be corrected by provisions of paragraph (d)(1) of this section. - (B) Manhole work sites that are subject to unusual water hazards that cannot be abated by conventional means. - (C) Manhole work sites that are occupied jointly with power utilities as described in paragraph (o)(3) of this section. - (2) Requirements prior to entering manholes and unvented vaults. - (i) Before an employee enters a manhole, the following steps shall be taken: - (A) The internal atmosphere shall …