Excavation mesurements
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Published by SALUSWhen dealing with excavation measurements, it's important to adhere to specific safety regulations to ensure the safety of workers. Here are some key points to consider:
- Protective Systems: For excavations deeper than 5 feet, a protective system must be used unless the excavation is in stable rock. This can include shoring, shielding, or sloping the sides of the excavation to prevent cave-ins [1].
- Slope and Bench Requirements: Excavations 20 feet or less in depth should have a maximum allowable slope of 1.5:1 for simple slopes. For benched excavations, the maximum allowable slope is 1:1, and the maximum bench height is 4 feet [2].
- Material Placement: Excavated materials must be kept at least 2 feet from the edge of the excavation to prevent materials from falling back into the excavation [1].
- Water Accumulation: Ensure that excavations are kept free of water accumulation, which can undermine the stability of the excavation walls. If water is present, appropriate measures such as water removal systems should be implemented [3].
- Access and Egress: Safe access and egress must be provided for excavations 4 feet or more in depth. This can include ladders, steps, or ramps, and they should be located within 25 feet of lateral travel for employees [4].
- Inspections: Daily inspections by a competent person are required to check for signs of potential cave-ins, failure of protective systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions. Inspections should also occur after any event that could increase hazards, such as rainstorms [1].
- Atmospheric Testing: If there is a potential for hazardous atmospheres, such as oxygen deficiency or the presence of toxic gases, testing must be conducted before workers enter the excavation [4].
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure a safe working environment for employees involved in excavation activities.
Sources used for this answer
[1] Safety and Health Regulations for Construction (OSHA)
Page 107
Open source documentSource excerpt
SIMPLE SLOPE-SHORT TERM <!-- image --> - 2. All benched excavations 20 feet or less in depth shall have a maximum allowable slope of Ú to 1 3 4 and maximum bench dimensions as follows: - 3. All excavations 8 feet or less in depth which have unsupported vertically sided lower portions shall have a maximum vertical side of 3 Ú feet. 1 2 MULTIPLE BENCH <!-- image --> UNSUPPORTED VERTICALLY SIDED LOWER PORTION-MAXIMUM 8 FEET IN DEPTH <!-- image --> All excavations more than 8 feet but not more than 12 feet in depth which unsupported vertically sided lower portions shall have a maximum allowable slope of 1:1 and a maximum vertical side of 3 Ú feet. 1 2
[2] Safety and Health Regulations for Construction (OSHA)
Page 96
Open source documentSource excerpt
- (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…
[3] Safety and Health Regulations for Construction (OSHA)
Page 95
Open source documentSource excerpt
## 29 CFR 1926 (OSHA) - (iii) Adequate precaution shall be taken such as providing ventilation, to prevent employee exposure to an atmosphere containing a concentration of a flammable gas in excess of 20 percent of the lower flammable limit of the gas. - (iv) When controls are used that are intended to reduce the level of atmospheric contaminants to acceptable levels, testing shall be conducted as often as necessary to ensure that the atmosphere remains safe. - (2) Emergency rescue equipment. (i) Emergency rescue equipment, such as breathing apparatus, a safety harness and line, or a basket stretcher, shall be readily available where hazardous atmospheric conditions exist or may reasonably be expected to develop during work in an excavation. This equipment shall be attended when in use. - (ii) Employees entering bell-bottom pier holes, or other similar deep and confined footing excavations, shall wear a harness with a life-line securely attached to it. The lifeline shall be separate from any line used to handle materials, and shall be individually attended at all times while the employee wearing the lifeline is in the excavation. - (h) Protection from hazards associated with water accumulation. (1) Employees shall not work in excavations in which there is accumulated water, or in excavations in which water is accumulating, unless adequate precautions have been taken to protect employees against the hazards posed by water accumulation. The precautions necessary to protect employees adequately vary with each situation, but could include special support or shield systems to protect from cave-ins, water removal to control the level of accumulating water, or use of a safety harness and lifeline. - (2) If water is controlled or prevented from accumulating by the use of water removal equipment, the water removal equipment and operations shall be monitored by a competent person to ensure proper operation. - (3) If excavation work interrupts the natural drainage of surface …
[4] Safety and Health Regulations for Construction (OSHA)
Page 94
Open source documentSource excerpt
- (c) Access and egress -(1) Structural ramps. (i) Structural ramps that are used solely by employees as a means of access or egress from excavations shall be designed by a competent person. Structural ramps used for access or egress of equipment shall be designed by a competent person qualified in structural design, and shall be constructed in accordance with the design. - (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 ad…
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