Injury Illness Prevention Plan - Flipbook - Page 190
Health and Safety Program Manual
Teamwrkx
Construction, Inc.
Issue Date: 10/16/23
Revision Date: 10/16/23
Trenching and Excavation
Reference: A-15
Testing should be conducted before workers enter the trench and should be done regularly to ensure that the
trench remains safe. The frequency of testing should be increased if equipment is operating in the trench.
Testing frequency should also be increased if welding, cutting, or burning is done in the trench.
Workers required to wear respiratory protection must be trained, fit-tested, and enrolled in a respiratory
protection program.
Some trenches qualify as confined spaces. When this occurs, compliance with The Company’s Confined Space
Program is also required.
Standing Water and Water Accumulation
Methods for controlling standing water and water accumulation must be provided and should consist of the
following if workers must work in the excavation:
x
x
x
x
x
Use of special support or shield systems approved by a registered professional engineer
Water removal equipment, such as well pointing, used, and monitored by a competent person
Safety harnesses and lifelines used in conformance with 29 CFR 1926.104
Workers removed from the trench during rainstorms
Trenches carefully inspected by a competent person after each rain and before workers are
permitted to re-enter the trench
Benching, Sloping, Shoring, and Shielding Requirements
All excavations or trenches 4 feet or greater in depth shall be appropriately benched, shored, or sloped
according to the procedures and requirements set forth in OSHA's Excavation standard, 29 CFR 1926.650, .651,
and .652.
Excavations or trenches 20 feet deep or greater must have a protective system designed by a registered
professional engineer.
Excavations under the base of footing of a foundation or wall require a support system designed by a registered
professional engineer.
Sidewalks and pavement shall not be undermined unless a support system or another method of protection is
provided to protect workers from their possible collapse.
Sloping
8