what does osha say about ditches dug at 5 feet

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Oregon Administrative Rules Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division ## REQUIREMENTS FOR PROTECTIVE SYSTEMS ## §1926.652 Requirements for Protective Systems. ## (a) Protection of employees in excavations. - (1) Each employee in an excavation shall be protected from cave-ins by an adequate protective system designed in accordance with paragraph (b) or (c) of this section 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. - (2) Protective systems shall have the capacity to resist without failure all loads that are intended or could reasonably be expected to be applied or transmitted to the system. - NOTE: The tables contained in Appendices A, B, C, D, E, and F do not contain sloping or shoring information for excavations over 20 feet deep. The protective systems for excavations over 20 feet in depth must be designed by a registered professional engineer in accordance with 1926.652(b) and (c). - (b) Design of sloping and benching systems. The slopes and configurations of sloping and benching systems shall be selected and constructed by the employer or his designee and shall be in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (b)(1); or, in the alternative, paragraph (b)(2); or, in the alternative, paragraph (b)(3), or, in the alternative, paragraph (b)(4), as follows: - (1) Option (1) - Allowable configurations and slopes. - (i) Excavations shall be sloped at an angle not steeper than one and one-half horizontal to one vertical (34 degrees measured from the horizontal), unless the employer uses one of the other options listed below. - (ii) Slopes specified in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section, shall be excavated to form configurations that are in accordance with the slopes shown for Type C soil in Appendix B to this subpart. - (2) Option (2) - Determination of slopes and configurati…

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<!-- image --> ## SCOPE, APPLICATION, &amp; DEFINITIONS APPLICABLE TO THIS SUBDIVISION Excavation means any man-made cut, cavity, trench, or depression in an earth surface, formed by earth removal. Faces or sides means the vertical or inclined earth surfaces formed as a result of excavation work. Failure means the breakage, displacement, or permanent deformation of a structural member or connection so as to reduce its structural integrity and its supportive capabilities. Hazardous atmosphere means an atmosphere which by reason of being explosive, flammable, poisonous, corrosive, oxidizing, irritating, oxygen deficient, toxic, or otherwise harmful, may cause death, illness, or injury. Kickout means the accidental release or failure of a cross brace. Protective system means a method of protecting employees from cave-ins, from material that could fall or roll from an excavation face or into an excavation, or from the collapse of adjacent structures. Protective systems include support systems, sloping and benching systems, shield systems, and other systems that provide the necessary protection. Ramp means an inclined walking or working surface that is used to gain access to one point from another, and is constructed from earth or from structural materials such as steel or wood. Registered Professional Engineer means a person who is registered as a professional engineer in the state where the work is to be performed. However, a professional engineer, registered in any state is deemed to be a 'registered professional engineer' within the meaning of this standard when approving designs for 'manufactured protective systems' or 'tabulated data' to be used in interstate commerce. Sheeting means the members of a shoring system that retain the earth in position and in turn are supported by other members of the shoring system. Shield (Shield system) means a structure that is able to withstand the forces imposed on it by a cave-in and thereby protect employees withi…

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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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Oregon Administrative Rules Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division ## SPECIFIC EXCAVATION REQUIREMENTS P ## (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 systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions, exposed employees shall be removed from the hazardous area until the necessary precautions have been taken to ensure their safety. - (l) Fall protection. Walkways shall be provided where employees or equipment are required or permitted to cross over excavations. Guardrails which comply with §1926.502(b) shall be provided where walkways are 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels. Stat. Auth.: ORS 654.025(2) and 656.726(4). Stats. Implemented: ORS 654.001 through 654.295. Hist: APD Admin. Order 8-1990, f. 3/30/90, ef. 9/1/90. OR-OSHA Admin. Order 6-1995, f. 4/18/95, ef. 6/1/95.