Write a toolbox talk on Trenching and Excavation Safety Two workers are killed every month in trench collapses. The employer must provide a workplace free of recognized hazards that may cause serious injury or death. An excavation is any man-made cut, cavity, trench, or depression in an earth surface formed by earth removal. 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. Dangers of Trenching and Excavation Cave-ins pose the greatest risk and are much more likely than other excavation-related accidents to result in worker fatalities. Other potential hazards include falls, falling loads, hazardous atmospheres, and incidents involving mobile equipment. One cubic yard of soil can weigh as much as a car. An unprotected trench is an early grave. Do not enter an unprotected trench. To avoid these hazards, a workplace must “maintain” order throughout a workday. Although this effort requires a great deal of management and planning, the benefits are many. Trench Safety Measures Trenches 5 feet deep or greater require a protective system unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock. If fewer than 5 feet deep, a competent person may determine that a protective system is not required. Trenches 20 feet deep or greater require that the protective system be designed by a registered professional engineer or be based on tabulated data prepared and/or approved by a registered professional engineer. Competent Person OSHA standards require that employers inspect trenches daily and as conditions change by a competent person before worker entry to ensure elimination of excavation hazards. A competent person is an individual who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards or working conditions that are hazardous, unsanitary, or dangerous to workers, soil types and protective systems required, and who is authorized to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate these hazards and conditions. Access and Egress OSHA standards require safe access and egress to all excavations, including ladders, steps, ramps, or other safe means of exit for employees working in trench excavations 4 feet or deeper. These devices must be located within 25 feet of all workers. General Trenching and Excavation Rules: Keep heavy equipment away from trench edges. Identify other sources that might affect trench stability. Keep excavated soil (spoils) and other materials at least 2 feet (0.6 meters) from trench edges. Know where underground utilities are located before digging. Test for atmospheric hazards such as low oxygen, hazardous fumes, and toxic gases when greater than 4 feet deep. Inspect trenches at the start of each shift. Inspect trenches following a rainstorm or other water intrusion. Do not work under suspended or raised loads and materials. Inspect trenches after any occurrence that could have changed conditions in the trench. Ensure that personnel wear high visibility or other suitable clothing when exposed to vehicular traffic. Protective Systems: There are different types of protective systems. Benching – means a method of protecting workers from cave-ins by excavating the sides of an excavation to form one or a series of horizontal levels or steps, usually with vertical or near vertical surfaces between levels. Benching cannot be done in Type C soil. Sloping – involves cutting back the trench wall at an angle inclined away from the excavation. Shoring – requires installing aluminum, hydraulic, or other types of supports to prevent soil movement and cave-ins. Shielding – protects workers by using trench boxes or other types of supports to prevent soil cave-ins. Designing a protective system can be complex because you must consider many factors: soil classification, depth of cut, water content of soil, changes caused by weather or climate, surcharge loads (e.g., spoil, other materials to be used in the trench) and other operations in the vicinity. Remember you are the one going into the hole, so check the methods being used to protect the excavation. Prior to climbing down the ladder, check the spoil pile location and equipment that is near the excavation. Do you feel comfortable with the excavation, its protection, and the nearby surroundings? Entering an unprotected excavation or trench could be the last thing you ever do!!

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OSHA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY # Fact sheet # Trenching and excavation safety From 2014 through 2019, four Minnesota workers died in a trench, excavation or ground collapse. Cave-ins pose the greatest risk and are much more likely than other excavation-related accidents to result in worker fatalities. Minnesota law requires employers to provide a workplace free of recognized hazards that may cause serious injury or death. This includes the trenching and excavation requirements of 29 CFR 1926.651 and 1926.652. An excavation is any man-made cut, cavity, trench or depression in an earth surface, formed by earth removal. A trench - or a trench excavation - is 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. ## Dangers of trenching and excavation In addition to cave-ins, other potential hazards include falls, falling loads, hazardous atmospheres and incidents involving mobile equipment. Two cubic yards of soil can weigh about 6,000 pounds or as much as a small car. An unprotected trench is an early grave. Do not enter an unprotected trench. ## Trench safety measures Trenches five feet deep or greater require a protective system unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock. If the trench is fewer than five feet deep, a competent person may determine a protective system is not required. Trenches 20 feet deep or greater require that the protective system be designed by a registered professional engineer or be based on tabulated data prepared and/or approved by a registered professional engineer in accordance with 1926.652(b) and (c). ## Competent person OSHA standards require employers ensure trenches - before worker entry - are inspected by a competent person daily and as conditions change, to ensure elimination of excavation hazards. A competent person is an individual: who is capab…

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# Tennessee OSHA's Special Emphasis Program on Trenching & Excavation Because trenching and excavation collapse is deadly and often involves multiple victims, Tennessee OSHA has established a special emphasis program to focus attention and resources on these hazards. It is impossible to predict when an excavation or trench will collapse. The sudden collapse of the walls makes escape almost impossible. The only way to prevent collapse is to slope or shore the walls or install a trench shield and follow the TOSHA trenching and excavation standards contained in 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P. Under this special emphasis program, all TOSHA compliance and consultative services personnel will be on the lookout for trenching or excavation work sites. Personal observation, reports of imminent danger, fatality/catastrophe reports, safety and health agency referrals, employee complaints, and media reports are also used to locate trenching and excavation work. Each occurrence is handled with an appropriate intervention by TOSHA. ## Hazards on the Excavation Site Excavation workers are exposed to many hazards, but the chief hazard is cave-in. TOSHA requires that all employees exposed to potential cave-ins be protected by sloping or benching the sides of the excavation, shoring the sides of the excavation, or placing a shield between the sides and the work area. In addition to cave-in hazards, workers must also be protected from adjacent utility lines, exposure to vehicular traffic, falling loads, hazardous atmospheres, and fall hazards. Utility lines such as gas, electrical, sewer, and water must be located and supported prior to placing employees in an excavation. Employees working in, or near, roadways must wear high visibility vests. Workers are not to work beneath suspended loads, and walkways crossing excavations must be equipped with guardrails. Precautions, including atmospheric testing and emergency rescue procedures and equipment, must be taken when workers enter excavat…

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# What do employers need to do to maintain materials and equipment used for protective systems? (cont.) ## When must employers conduct site inspections? (cont.) conditions. Inspections must be done prior to the start of work and as needed throughout the shift. Inspections are also required after natural events, such as rainstorms, or other hazard-increasing occurrences, such as blasting work. If an inspector finds any unsafe conditions during an inspection, the employer must clear workers from the hazardous area until the necessary safety precautions have been taken. ## Conclusion When employers share the details of their safety and health programs with workers, they should emphasize the critical role workers play in keeping the jobsite safe. Employers also need to emphasize specific practices that will help reduce the risk of on-the-job injuries at excavation sites. Such practices can include the following: ■Know where underground utilities are located before digging. ■ Keep excavated soil (spoils) and other materials at least 2 feet (0.61 meters) from trench edges. ■Keep heavy equipment away from trench edges. - Identify any equipment or activities that could affect trench stability. - Test for atmospheric hazards such as low oxygen, hazardous fumes, and toxic gases when workers are more than 4 feet deep. ■Inspect trenches at the start of each shift. ■Inspect trenches following a rainstorm or other water intrusion. ■Inspect trenches after any occurrence that could have changed conditions in the trench. ■■Do not work under suspended or raised loads and materials. ■ Ensure that personnel wear high-visibility or other suitable clothing when exposed to vehicular traffic. Employers should consider establishing and maintaining safety and health management systems that provide systematic Trenching and Excavation Safety 13

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# CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE EXCAVATING (cont.) ## SOIL TYPES (cont.) Establish Mean of Exit from the Excavation or Trench When employees are required to be in excavations or trenches 4 feet deep or more, an adequate means of exit, such as a ladder or steps, must be provided and located within 25 feet of lateral travel. An earth ramp is acceptable, providing all the following are met: • The stability of the earth is adequate for sound footing. • The total travel distance does not exceed 25 feet. • Adequate shoring or equivalent protection is provided for the entire escape route. ## PROTECTING FROM HAZARDOUS ATMOSPHERES Atmospheric testing is required before workers enter an excavation or trench greater than 4 feet (1.22 meters) in depth where an oxygen deficiency or a hazardous atmosphere is present or could reasonably be expected, such as in excavations in landfill areas or excavations in areas where dangerous substances are stored nearby. ## CALL BEFORE YOU DIG Utility locates must be completed prior to digging. Calling 811 before you dig is necessary to prevent damage and injuries. ## INSPECTIONS WAC [redacted identifier] requires that a competent person inspect excavations, adjacent areas, and protective systems daily for evidence of a situation that could result in possible cave-ins, indications of failure of protective systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions. The competent person must inspect before the start of work and as needed throughout the shift. Inspections must also be made after every rainstorm or other hazard-increasing occurrence. Specifically, inspections should help to identify the following: Unusual Hazardous Conditions: Daily inspections of excavations, adjacent areas, and protective systems will be made by a designated competent person in situations that might result in a cave-in, failure of a protective system, or other hazardous conditions. A competent person will inspect before the day's work and throughout the …

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# Introduction Excavation and trenching are among the most hazardous construction operations. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Excavation standards, 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1926, Subpart P, contain requirements for excavation and trenching operations. This booklet highlights key elements of the standards and describes safe work practices that can protect workers from cave-ins and other hazards. ## What is the difference between an excavation and a trench? OSHA defines an excavation as any man-made cut, cavity, trench, or depression in the Earth's surface formed by earth removal. A trench is defined as a narrow excavation (in relation to its length) made below the surface of the ground. In general, the depth of a trench is greater than its width, but the width of a trench (measured at the bottom) is not greater than 15 feet (4.6 m). ## What are the dangers of trenching and excavation operations? Trenching and excavation work presents serious hazards to all workers involved. Cave-ins pose the greatest risk and are more likely than some other excavation-related incidents to result in worker fatalities. One cubic yard of soil can weigh as much as a car. An unprotected trench can be an early grave. Employers must ensure that workers enter trenches only after adequate protections are in place to address cave-in hazards. Other potential hazards associated with trenching work include falling loads, hazardous atmospheres, and hazards from mobile equipment. ## What do the OSHA Excavation standards cover, and how do they protect workers? The standards apply to all open excavations made in the Earth's surface, including trenches. Following the requirements of the standards will prevent or greatly reduce the risk of cave-ins and other excavation-related incidents. Trenching and Excavation Safety

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# What are the soil classification categories? (cont.) ## What types of protective systems can employers use to protect workers from cave-ins? (cont.) Figure 2. Trench Shields The Excavation standards do not require a protective system when an excavation is made entirely in stable rock or when an excavation is less than 5 feet (1.52 meters) deep and a competent person has examined the ground and found no indication of a potential cave-in. ## What other precautions do employers need to take to protect workers from cave-ins? The Excavation standards require employers to provide support systems, such as shoring, bracing, or underpinning, when necessary to ensure that adjacent structures (including adjoining buildings, walls, sidewalks and pavements) remain stable for the protection of workers. The standards also prohibit excavation below the base or footing of any foundation or retaining wall that could be reasonably expected to pose a hazard to workers unless: ■The employer provides a support system, such as underpinning; - The excavation is in stable rock; or Trenching and Excavation Safety 7

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# Trenching and excavation safety (cont.) ## General trenching and excavation rules (cont.) • Test for atmospheric hazards, such as low oxygen, hazardous fumes and toxic gases when greater than four feet deep. • Inspect trenches at the start of each shift and following a rainstorm or other water intrusion. • Do not work underneath suspended or raised loads and materials. • Inspect trenches after any occurrence that could have changed conditions in the trench. • Ensure personnel wear high-visibility or other suitable clothing when exposed to vehicular traffic or mobile earth-moving equipment. ## Protective systems There are different types of protective systems – sloping, shoring and shielding. <table><tr><th>Type of protective system</th><th></th><th>Illustration of system</th></tr><tr><td>Sloping involves cutting back the trench wall at an angle inclined away from the excavation.</td><td>20 MAX</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Shoring requires installing aluminum hydraulic or other types of supports to prevent soil movement and cave-ins.</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Shielding protects workers by using trench boxes or other types of supports to prevent soil cave-ins. Designing a protective system can be complex because many factors must be considered: soil classification; depth of cut; water content of soil; changes caused by weather or climate; surcharge loads (spoil, other materials to be used in the trench); and other operations in the vicinity.</td><td></td><td></td></tr></table> ## More information To learn more about excavation safety, view the standards at osha.gov. Revised March 2025

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# Toolbox Talks Preventing Excavation/Trench Cave-ins - Ask the following questions and give time for answers. ## What are the hazards? Bodily or equipment entrapment in soil. ## What are the results? Broken or crushed limbs and bones, entrapment, suffocation, head injury, internal damage, and death. ## What should we look for? Stable rock and soil type (A, B, C), depth of excavation, cave-ins, water in trench, weather conditions (rain, frost), water table, protective systems, competent person, operation of heavy equipment near excavation, barricades, and falling loads. ## How do we prevent these results? • A competent person must evaluate excavations daily. Excavations should be re-evaluated after events such as rain. • Use shoring equipment, shielding, and/or sloping or benching systems for excavations greater than 5 feet in depth or less when deemed necessary by the competent person. • Examine protective systems in accordance with manufacturers recommendations and remove damaged systems from service. • Excavated material/other objects must be kept at least 2 feet from edge. ## Understanding Soil Types • Type "A" - most stable (clay, hardpan) • Type "B" - next most stable (slit, loam, unstable dry rock) • Type "C" - least stable (gravel, loamy sand) ## Let's talk about this site now How can you prevent cave-ins? Shoring, shielding, sloping, and/or benching. At what depth is cave-in protection required? 5 feet or less depending on the assessment by a competent person. Name some conditions that can increase cave-ins. Rain, heavy equipment, vibration, spoil piles, etc. The unfortunate reality - From 2011 to 2021 there were at least 220 trenching fatalities across the United States. These fatality incidents were preventable with the use of a protective system, proper employee training, and implementation of a safety and health management system. ## AN UNPROTECTED TRENCH IS AN EARLY GRAVE DOLI VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY in li…

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# Trench and Excavation Safety Trench collapses, or cave-ins, are the leading hazard in excavation work. Safe trenching helps prevent falls, falling loads, hazardous atmospheres, and incidents involving mobile equipment. ## Trench Safety Measures Trenches 5 feet or deeper require a protective system unless dug in stable rock. For trenches less than 5 feet, a competent person must decide if protection is needed. Trenches 20 feet or deeper must have a protective system designed or approved by a registered professional engineer, as required by OSHA 1926.652(b) and (c). ## Competent Person Before workers enter a trench, a competent person must inspect it daily and after any condition changes to ensure safety. This person is trained to identify hazards, determine soil types, select protective systems, and has the authority to correct issues immediately. ## Access and Egress • Keep heavy equipment and spoils at least 2 feet from trench edges - Locate underground utilities before digging • Test for atmospheric hazards in trenches over 4 feet deep • Inspect trenches daily, at the start of each shift, after storms, and after conditions change • Never work under suspended loads - Wear high visibility clothing when near traffic # Protective Systems • Benching: a method of protecting workers from cave-ins by cutting the sides of an excavation into horizontal steps. Benching is not allowed in Type C soil. • Sloping: involves cutting back the trench wall at an angle inclined away from excavation. • Shoring: requires installing aluminum hydraulic or other types of supports to prevent soil movement and cave-ins. • Shielding: protects workers by using trench boxes or supports to prevent cave-ins. Designing these systems can be complex, as factors like soil type, trench depth, moisture, weather, nearby loads, and site activity must all be considered. OSHA standards require that employers provide workplaces free of recognized hazards. The employer must compl…

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# Introduction (cont.) ## What is a trench? A trench is deeper than it is wide - and not more than 15 feet wide at the bottom. Trench • Deeper than wide • No more than 15 feet wide at the bottom Typical trench Trench created by formwork ## Plan before you dig Planning reduces the chance that something will go wrong when you start a job. Consider the following before you start excavating: • Debris near the excavation site that could create a hazard • How employees will get in and out of the excavation • How to protect people from falling into the excavation • How to respond to emergencies • Location of overhead power lines and underground utility lines (Call 811 from anywhere in Oregon for help in locating underground utility lines) . Possibility of atmospheric hazards in the excavation • Possibility of water in the excavation • Stability of soil at the excavation site • Stability of structures adjacent to the excavation site • Vehicles and other mobile equipment that will operate near the excavation • Weather conditions ## The role of the competent person A designated competent person who has training in soil analysis, protective systems, and Oregon OSHA's Division 3, Subdivision P, Excavation requirements must be on site to classify the soil, select a protective system, oversee installation, and inspect the system after installation. If there are no existing hazards, the competent person can leave the excavation site for a short time, but must be present when a protective system is moved. Soil conditions could change or new hazards may arise that require the competent person's judgment. The competent person must be knowledgeable about the type of soil excavated and the protective system used and must inspect them daily for signs of instability, damage, or other hazards; the competent person must approve any changes. Inspections are also necessary after heavy rain or activities such as blasting that may increase the risk of cave-in…

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# EXCAVATIONS AND TRENCHES WAC [redacted identifier] defines an excavation as "Any person-made cut, cavity, trench, or depression in the earth's surface, formed by earth removal." A trench is "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. 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." One cubic yard of soil can weigh up to 3000 pounds - approximately the weight of a small car. The fatality rate for excavation work is 112% higher than the rate for general construction, according to data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The agency lists "employee injury from collapse" as the primary hazard of excavation work and includes "no protective system" among the leading causes of worker injuries. ## EXCAVATION AND TRENCHING HAZARDS Trenching and excavation work presents serious hazards to all workers involved. Cave-ins pose the most significant risk and are more likely than other excavation- related incidents to result in worker fatalities. One cubic yard of soil can weigh as much as a car. • Collapse of soils and materials (cave-in) due to lack of, inadequate, or weak protective systems • The striking or damaging of underground utility services • Persons falling into excavations due to a lack of barriers or inadequate fencing • Asphyxiation from toxic gases which have collected in the excavation/trench • Spoil (soil from excavation/trench) or materials/equipment being placed too close to the sides of the excavation/trench, which then become overloaded and collapse • Failure to check and maintain shoring, particularly after incle…

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# EXCAVATIONS AND TRENCHES (cont.) ## PROTECTIVE METHODS (cont.) Shoring: The process of installing aluminum hydraulic or other types of supports to prevent soil movement and cave-ins. This is often necessary when excavating trench or working where the ground may give way. Shoring can also stabilize a structure damaged by an earthquake or other disaster. a Shoring is a critical part of construction and should only be done by trained professionals. Improper shoring can lead to severe injuries or even death. Shielding: This method is the most common system and protects workers with trench boxes or other supports to prevent soil cave-ins. This method uses a trench box or shield designed or approved by a registered professional engineer (RPE). Note: Excavations that are less than 4 feet in depth may still require protection for workers to enter if the competent person believes that a cave-in may occur. ## INSPECTIONS WAC [redacted identifier] requires that a competent person inspect excavations, adjacent areas, and protective systems daily for evidence of a situation that could result in possible cave-ins, indications of failure of protective systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions. The competent person must inspect before the start of work and as needed throughout the shift. Inspections must also be made after every rainstorm or other hazard-increasing occurrence. ## RESOURCES WAC [redacted identifier] - Excavation and Trenching NIOSH Trench Safety Graphic FSPO-912-000 An Unprotected Trench is an Early Grave (wa.gov) Trenching and Excavation - Overview | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (osha.gov)

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Trenching Safety Preventing Cave-ins Trenching work is risky; cave-ins occur suddenly and bring lasting, tragic consequences. Safety preplanning, oversight, and training are key to ensuring work is set up and performed safely in trenches. ## Protective Systems Protective systems prevent cave-ins and protect workers from falling materials. There are three types: ■ Sloping and benching removes soil to eliminate the chance of cave-ins (benching isn't an option for sand, gravel, and other Type C soils). a ■Shoring uses supports to brace the walls of trench (e.g., aluminum hydraulic supports). ■ Shielding protects workers inside of the shielded area (e.g., trench boxes). Protective systems are required for all trenches four feet or deeper; and for those less than four feet deep if a potential for cave-in exists. Systems for trenches over 20 feet deep must be designed by a registered professional engineer (or designed according to tables, charts, and other tabulated data approved by them). ## Competent Person A competent person is someone who: ■ Conducts daily safety inspections of excavation areas, including protective systems, to identify existing and potential hazards. ■ Has the knowledge and authority to take immediate corrective measures to eliminate hazards and conditions; and has the authority to remove workers promptly if hazardous conditions are found. ## Getting In and Out Safely Workers must be able to easily and safely enter and exit trenches four feet or deeper. A way in or out must be available every 25 feet. The most common method for access is a straight ladder or an extension ladder. If a ladder is used, it must extend at least three feet above the landing. Other means could be a stairway or ramp designed by a registered professional engineer. ## General Safety Tips ■Don't let workers enter or work inside an unprotected trench four feet or more in depth. ■Never work inside a trench if the spoils pile is less than two feet away from the e…

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# Excavation Safety (cont.) ## Access/Egress • [Describe means of access/egress, including use of ramps/steps in excavations and ramps/ladders every 25 ft. in trenches more than 4 ft. deep.] ## Inspection • [Provide the name of the competent person] will inspect the trench and protective systems daily, before the start of work and throughout the day as conditions change. These daily inspections include: - 0 Soil conditions and accumulation of water or anything else that would be indicative of a cave-in. - 0 Protective system integrity. ○ Hazardous atmospheres. - 0 [Describe other site-specific hazards and how they are abated.] • Employees are not allowed to enter the excavation unless cleared safe to do so by the competent person. ## Vehicular Traffic and Warning System • [Describe the warning vests/garments used by exposed employees.] • [Describe the warning system (e.g., barricades, hand or mechanical signals, stop logs) for mobile equipment operating adjacent to an excavation.] ## Hazardous Atmospheres [Describe how oxygen deficiency or other hazardous atmospheres will be tested and controlled in excavations greater than 4 ft. in depth.] • [Describe the emergency equipment (e.g., breathing apparatus, safety harness/line, basket stretcher, etc.) to be readily available.] ## Water Accumulation • Employees will not work in excavations where there is accumulated water unless the following precautions have been taken: [Describe precautions (for example, special support or shield systems, water removal pumps, the means of diverting water from entering excavations, use of harness and safety line, etc.).] ## Loose Rock/Soil • [Describe how employees are protected from loose rock/soil that could pose a hazard by falling from an excavation face (for example, scaling, protective barricades, etc.).] • Excavated materials or equipment that could fall into an excavation are kept at least 2 feet from the edge of the excavation unless the following retai…

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# What are the soil classification categories? (cont.) ## What safety factors should be considered when bidding on a job? (cont.) ■Contact and notify the utility companies or owners involved to inform them of the proposed work within established or customary local response times. ■ Ask the utility companies or owners to establish the location of underground installations prior to the start of excavation work. If they cannot respond within 24 hours (unless the period required by state or local law is longer) or cannot establish the exact location of the utility installations, employers may proceed with caution, which includes using detection equipment or other acceptable means to locate utility installations. ■Determine the exact location of underground installations by safe and acceptable means when excavation operations approach the approximate location of the installations. - Ensure that while the excavation is open, underground installations are protected, supported or removed as necessary to safeguard workers. ## Protective Systems ## How can employers prevent cave-ins? OSHA generally requires that employers protect workers from cave-ins by: ■Sloping and benching the sides of the excavation; ■ Supporting the sides of the excavation; or ■Placing a shield between the side of the excavation and the work area. ## What types of protective systems can employers use to protect workers from cave-ins? In many cases the type of protective system needed is well known and simple to use. At other times employers will undertake the more complex process of designing a protective system. Designing a protective system requires consideration of many factors, including: soil classification, depth of cut, water content of soil, weather and climate, and other operations Trenching and Excavation Safety 5