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What is the sloping on a trench

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Sloping in trenching involves cutting back the trench walls at an angle to prevent cave-ins [1]. The angle depends on factors like soil type and environmental conditions [1]. The actual slope should not be steeper than the maximum allowable slope [2]. If there are signs of distress, the slope should be less steep [2].

2 source record(s)

Sources used for this answer

[1] Rules for the Administration of the Oregon Safe Employment Act (Construction, Division 3, OSHA Oregon)

Page 699

Open source document

Source excerpt

## SCOPE, APPLICATION, & DEFINITIONS APPLICABLE TO THIS SUBDIVISION Sloping (Sloping system) means a method of protecting employees from cave-ins by excavating to form sides of an excavation that are inclined away from the excavation so as to prevent cave-ins. The angle of incline required to prevent a cave-in varies with differences in such factors as the soil type, environmental conditions of exposure, and application of surcharge loads. Stable rock means natural solid mineral material that can be excavated with vertical sides and will remain intact while exposed. Unstable rock is considered to be stable when the rock material on the side or sides of the excavation is secured against caving-in or movement by rock bolts or by another protective system that has been designed by a registered professional engineer. Structural ramp means a ramp built of steel or wood, usually used for vehicle access. Ramps made of soil or rock are not considered structural ramps. Support system means a structure such as underpinning, bracing, or shoring, which provides support to an adjacent structure, underground installation, or the sides of an excavation. Tabulated data means tables and charts approved by a registered professional engineer and used to design and construct a protective system. Trench (Trench excavation) means a narrow excavation (in relation to its length) made below the surface of the ground. In general, the depth is greater than the width, but the width of a trench (measured at the bottom) is not greater than 15 feet (4.6 m). If forms or other structures are installed or constructed in an excavation so as to reduce the dimension measured from the forms or structure to the side of the excavation to 15 feet (4.6 m) or less (measured at the bottom of the excavation), the excavation is also considered to be a trench. Trench box. See 'Shield.' Trench shield. See 'Shield.' Uprights means the vertical members of a trench shoring system placed in contact

[2] Safety and Health Regulations for Construction (OSHA)

Page 105

Open source document

Source excerpt

## 29 CFR 1926 (OSHA) appendix apply when the design of sloping and benching protective systems is to be performed in accordance with the requirements set forth in §1926.652(b)(2). ## (b) Definitions. Actual slope means the slope to which an excavation face is excavated. Distress means that the soil is in a condition where a cave-in is imminent or is likely to occur. Distress is evidenced by such phenomena as the development of fissures in the face of or adjacent to an open excavation; the subsidence of the edge of an excavation; the slumping of material from the face or the bulging or heaving of material from the bottom of an excavation; the spalling of material from the face of an excavation; and ravelling, i.e., small amounts of material such as pebbles or little clumps of material suddenly separating from the face of an excavation and trickling or rolling down into the excavation. Maximum allowable slope means the steepest incline of an excavation face that is acceptable for the most favorable site conditions as protection against cave-ins, and is expressed as the ratio of horizontal distance to vertical rise (H:V). Short term exposure means a period of time less than or equal to 24 hours that an excavation is open. - (c) Requirements -(1) Soil classification. Soil and rock deposits shall be classified in accordance with appendix A to subpart P of part 1926. - (2) Maximum allowable slope. The maximum allowable slope for a soil or rock deposit shall be determined from Table B-1 of this appendix. - (3) Actual slope. (i) The actual slope shall not be steeper than the maximum allowable slope. - (ii) The actual slope shall be less steep than the maximum allowable slope, when there are signs of distress. If that situation occurs, the slope shall be cut back to an actual slope which is at least Ú 1 2 horizontal to one vertical ( Ú H:1V) less steep than the maximum allowable slope. 1 2 - (iii) When surcharge loads from stored material or equipment, operating e

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