PREVNEXTSUBMITMenuResourcesGlossaryNotesClear and return to MenuSearch ResultsFilterSlide TextNotesSearch in:Check to includeSearch...TermsDefinitiondefinitionresourcessearchpauseplayreplaysubmitnextpreviousvolumedrag the correct answer on the right to the appropriate question on the left. any machine-made cut, cavity, trench or depression formed by the removal of earth from the area. excavation the deep cutting of earth to establish a work space or to install a fixture or system that is to be buried in its final state. trenching that's right! continue sorry... continue each employee at fsg must receive training during their initial employment orientation on safe practices to be used in and around a job site where excavation or trenching may be taking place. true false that's right! continue sorry... continue on every job site, a "competent person" must be designated as the person who oversees all excavating activities. true false that's right! continue sorry... continue it is not necessary to conduct a job hazard analysis before excavating activities can begin. true false that's right! continue sorry... • before excavating activities can begin, the competent person assigned to the job site must conduct a job hazard analysis, (or jha). continue when working in a trench or excavated site that has two feet of depth or more, the walls of the work area must be stabilized using one of three possible methods. true false that's right! continue sorry... it's critical to remember that when working in a trench or excavated site that has four feet of depth or more, that the walls of the work area must be stabilized using one of three possible methods. continue when planning an excavation that is twenty feet deep or more, a registered engineer must design the dig and certify the plan. true false that's right! continue sorry... continue how often does the competent person have to inspect the excavation? every morning once a week only once before work begins only when there is an incident or accident that's right! continue sorry... the competent person assigned to oversee the excavation must inspect the job site every morning before work can begin. continue when must inspections of the excavation take place? after every rain storm whenever an unusual occurrence happens that might affect the integrity every morning all of these that's right! continue sorry... continue before entering an excavated site that is more than 4ft deep, ladders must be placed no more than _______ ft apart inside the work space. 10 20 25 50 that's right! continue sorry... continue soil piles and other materials must be kept at least _____ feet back from the edge of the excavation. 2 3 4 6 that's right! continue sorry... continue review quiz congratulations, you passed. your score: %results_2.scorepercent%% (%results_2.scorepoints% points) passing score: %results_2.passpercent%% (%results_2.passpoints% points) result: 8.0 fall protection you can click the 'review quiz' button for a play-by-play recap of your results. sorry, you did not pass. your score: %results_2.scorepercent%% (%results_2.scorepoints% points) passing score: %results_2.passpercent%% (%results_2.passpoints% points) result: 8.0 fall protection you can click the 'review quiz' button for a play-by-play recap of your results. you can view the handbook outline for this lesson by clicking on "notes" on the upper left hand side of this screen (beside menu) - or you may download the outline by clicking on the resources tab on the upper right hand side of this screen. <html><textformat leading='1' tabstops='[48, 96]' leftmargin='0' indent='0'>Come on in, have a seat and let’s keep going. Now we’re going to look at policies and procedures for safely working in and around job sites that involve excavating and trenching. As with any of the modules in this course, you can pause at any time if you need to and you can always go back and hear something again.</textformat></html><html><textformat leading='1' tabstops='[48, 96]' leftmargin='0' indent='0'>What is Excavating and Trenching? Let’s start by defining excavation and trenching. An excavation on a job site is any machine-made cut, cavity, trench or depression formed by the removal of earth from the area. Trenching on the other hand is defined as the deep cutting of earth to establish a work space or to install a fixture or system that is to be buried in its final state. </textformat></html><html><textformat leading='1' tabstops='[48, 96]' leftmargin='0' indent='0'>Trenching walls are usually shored with steel or wood and can be higher than the employee’s head. Working in and around a trench requires that the employee remain attentive and alert at all times. Each employee at FSG must receive training during their initial employment orientation on safe practices to be used in and around a job site where excavation and trenching may be taking place.</textformat></html><html><textformat leading='1' tabstops='[48, 96]' leftmargin='0' indent='0'>It’s critical to remember that even with a well-designed excavation, a cave-in is always possible. Every employee should exercise good judgment and maintain constant situational awareness when working around an excavation site. Any employee who is concerned about the integrity of an excavated area should make sure they contact their supervisor or the designated competent person immediately before beginning work.</textformat></html><html><textformat leading='1' tabstops='[48, 96]' leftmargin='0' indent='0'>On every job site, a “Competent Person” must be designated as the person who oversees all excavating activities. Employees should look to the assigned competent person for guidance and policy and follow that person’s guidance without question. Before excavating activities can begin, the competent person assigned to the job site must conduct a job hazard analysis or JHA. Also, the Excavation and Trenching Checklist must be filled out and submitted. The competent person assigned to oversee the excavation must inspect the job site every morning before work can begin. Additionally inspections must take place after every rain storm and whenever an unusual occurrence happens on the job site that might affect the integrity of the excavation. When planning an excavation that is twenty feet deep or more, a registered engineer must design the dig and certify the plan. </textformat></html><html><textformat leading='1' tabstops='[48, 96]' leftmargin='0' indent='0'>The competent person on the job site is responsible for making sure that all risks associated with excavating and trenching are minimized as much as possible. One of those risks is the risk of cave-in. In the next few slides we’ll look at some methods that can be used to reduce the risk of a cave-in and make excavating and trenching safer. </textformat></html><html><textformat leading='1' tabstops='[48, 96]' leftmargin='0' indent='0'>The first method is known as Sloping. Sloping is exactly what it sounds like - it’s the practice of angling, or sloping, the sides of an excavation away from the primary working area so as to minimize the risk of a cave-in. The angle of the slope required can vary based on different factors such as soil type, environmental conditions of exposure, and the types of loads the surface will have to endure while work is being performed. </textformat></html><html><textformat leading='1' tabstops='[48, 96]' leftmargin='0' indent='0'>Sloping is a great method, however, it isn’t always feasible, especially on smaller job sites. Benching is a technique that can be used without taking up as much space and is the second method approved for an excavation site. Benching is the technique of creating a series of horizontal steps around the walls of the excavation. This creates a series of levels between the working space below and the ground level above. Benching does not require as much space as sloping but can still be difficult to accomplish if working in a very limited area.</textformat></html><html><textformat leading='1' tabstops='[48, 96]' leftmargin='0' indent='0'>The third method used to protect from cave-ins is called shoring and can be used on just about any job-site. Shoring, is the practice of using mechanical, hydraulic, or metal structures or systems designed to put outward pressure on the walls of the excavation. These systems bear the weight of the soil that wants to fill in the space and create a safe workable space for the employees. </textformat></html><html><textformat leading='1' tabstops='[48, 96]' leftmargin='0' indent='0'>It’s the responsibility of every FSG employee to make sure that he or she is properly dressed for a job site and has the right Personal Protective Equipment, also known as PPE, available and ready for use before beginning any work. Excavation and trench work is no exception to this rule. Personal Protective Equipment for excavation and trench work includes the following: Hardhat Safety glasses Work boots And Hearing protection as needed If vehicular traffic is present, reflective vests are mandatory and are required to be worn at all times. Remember to always keep Personal Protective Equipment in good working order. If an employee finds that their PPE is defective or missing, they should notify their supervisor immediately and resolve any issues before starting work. </textformat></html><html><textformat leading='1' tabstops='[48, 96]' leftmargin='0' indent='0'>Let’s take a look now at the policies in place for entering and exiting an excavated work site. Before entering an excavated site that is more than 4ft deep, ladders must be placed no more than 25ft apart inside the work space. When climbing into or out of an excavation or trench do not carry tools or materials, always use a rope and a pulley or other mechanical system to lower tools into or lift tools out of the space. When using a gas powered tool in or near a trench or excavation, the air must be monitored for levels of carbon monoxide. Remember, Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas and can’t always be detected by smell. Soil piles and other materials are to be be kept at least two feet back from the edge of the excavation. No employee is to ever place themselves under a load that is being lowered or raised into or out of an excavated space. And never, under any circumstances, are you to work in an excavated area that has standing water.</textformat></html><html><textformat leading='1' tabstops='[48, 96]' leftmargin='0' indent='0'>Be sure you understand these policies and how to implement them on the job site. Remember, safety is everyone’s first priority. I’ll see you in the next session!</textformat></html><html><textformat leading='1' tabstops='[48, 96]' leftmargin='0' indent='0'>13.<tab></tab>Excavation and Trenching 13.1.<tab></tab>An excavation is any machine-made cut, cavity, trench or depression in an earth surface formed by earth removal. 13.2.<tab></tab>Each employee receives training during orientation on the procedures of this Policy Section for the expressed purpose of ensuring awareness of the hazards associated with excavation and trenching. 13.3.<tab></tab>A ‘competent person’ must be designated and assigned to oversee all excavation activities. 13.4.<tab></tab>Sloping, benching and/or shoring must be utilized for every excavation equal to or greater than four (4) feet in depth. 13.5.<tab></tab>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. 13.6.<tab></tab>Benching (Benching System) means a method of protecting employees 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. 13.7.<tab></tab>Shoring (Shoring System) means a structure such as a metal hydraulic or mechanical shoring system that supports the sides of an excavation and which is designed to prevent cave-ins. 13.8.<tab></tab>Additional procedures should be utilized for lesser depths, depending on the stability of the soil, as established by a competent person. All personnel working in/with excavations less than four (4) feet are to follow the requirements identified by the competent person. 13.9.<tab></tab>A registered Professional Engineer must design excavations greater than twenty (20) feet in depth. 13.10.<tab></tab>Excavations must be inspected by the Competent Person on site: 13.10.1.<tab></tab>Prior to the start of work each day; 13.10.2.<tab></tab>As needed throughout a shift; 13.10.3.<tab></tab>After every rainstorm; 13.10.4.<tab></tab>Anytime an unusual occurrence affects the integrity of the excavation. 13.10.5.<tab></tab>A Competent Person must conduct a JHA prior to excavation work activities beginning (reference JHA's under Safety Systems section of this manual to assess the identifiable hazards associated with work areas, occupations, and tasks) and also fill out an Excavation and Trenching Checklist. 13.11.<tab></tab>The following personal protective equipment (PPE) is mandatory (to be used at all times) while working in/with excavations: hardhat, safety glasses, (hearing protection if needed) and work boots. When vehicular traffic is present, reflective vests/garments are mandatory (to be used at all times). The PPE hazard assessment for this type of work indicates additional protective equipment use. 13.11.1.<tab></tab>With shoring and shielding techniques, all personnel in the excavation are to stay <tab></tab>within the confines of those systems while performing work activities. 13.11.2.<tab></tab>Means for accessing excavations (ladders are typical) must be provided anytime the excavation is four (4) feet or greater in depth no more than 25 feet in any direction for exiting. 13.11.3.<tab></tab>When climbing into or out of an excavation or trench do not carry tools or materials, they are to be lowered or raised by a mechanical means. 13.11.4.<tab></tab>When using a gas powered tool in or near a trench or excavation, the air must be monitored for levels of carbon monoxide. 13.11.5.<tab></tab>All materials and soil piles are to be kept back from the edges of an excavation by at least two (2) feet. Detaining devices can also be used to contain materials and soil piles from falling into the excavation. 13.11.6.<tab></tab>No personnel are to be under loads being lifted from or into an excavation. 13.11.7.<tab></tab>No personnel are allowed to work inside an excavation with accumulated water. 13.12.<tab></tab>Reference: 13.12.1.<tab></tab>OSHA 1926.650</textformat></html>