Open trenches and excavations such as building foundations aren ‘t generally considered confined spaces ; they are regulated under OSHA’s excavation standard, 29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart P. ... It’s a space large enough to bodily enter, has limited or restricted means of entry/exit and is not designed for continuous occupancy.
What is excavation safety?
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN EXCAVATION
1. General. Excavation work involves the removal of. soil or a mixture of soil and rock, and even. some of the most experienced workers.
Who should be responsible for excavation safety?
The Competent Person , as per the OSHA excavation standard is the contractor’s authorized party to ensure excavation work proceeds to the OSHA standard and does so safely. In the event unsafe conditions are encountered the Competent Person is also responsible to take prompt and corrective action.
What is the OSHA standard for excavation?
OSHA requires employers to provide ladders, steps, ramps, or other safe means of egress for workers working in trench excavations 4 feet (1.22 meters) or deeper. The means of egress must be located so as not to require workers to travel more than 25 feet (7.62 meters) laterally within the trench.
Is an excavation considered a confined space?
Safety managers and workers should consider every excavation as a potential confined space. ... “By definition, any excavation more than 4 feet deep should be looked at a confined space, unless they have some sort of staircase or sloping in that excavation that gives them decent access for rescue.”
How can we protect excavation?
Avoid underground services and make sure not to undermine nearby structures – use safe digging practice and dig away from them . Check the excavation each day before starting work and after any event that may affect its stability. Provide safe access to get in and out. Prevent collapse – shore, bench, or batter back.
How do you protect deep excavation?
Falling or dislodging material. Loose materials – may fall from spoil heaps into the excavation. Edge protection should include toeboards or other means, such as projecting trench sheets or box sides to protect against falling materials. Head protection should be worn .
What are some dangers of excavation?
- Cave-ins. Trench collapses kill an average of two workers every month, making this a serious threat to worker safety. ...
- Falls and falling loads. Workers and work equipment can fall into an excavated area. ...
- Hazardous atmospheres. ...
- Mobile equipment. ...
- Hitting utility lines.
At what depth does an excavation become a confined space?
In general practice, all trench excavations over four feet in depth should be considered confined spaces until a competent person has ruled out all of the potential hazards associated with it.
At what depth do excavations require shoring?
Trenches 5 feet (1.5 meters) deep or greater require a protective system unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock. If less than 5 feet deep, a competent person may determine that a protective system is not required.
What is shoring in excavation?
Shoring Types. Shoring is the provision of a support system for trench faces used to prevent movement of soil, underground utilities, roadways, and foundations . Shoring or shielding is used when the location or depth of the cut makes sloping back to the maximum allowable slope impractical.
What is considered a deep excavation?
Deep excavations, on the other hand, are defined as being any excavation which is more than 4.5 metres in depth – a considerable height indeed. Deep excavations are trickier to plan and implement than shallow excavations, for a variety of reasons, which is why they tend to only be carried out by trained professionals.
What type of soil must never be benched?
Type C soil cannot be benched.
What is a safe LEL level?
Atmospheres with a concentration of flammable vapors at or above 10 percent of the lower explosive limit (LEL) are considered hazardous when located in confined spaces. However, atmospheres with flammable vapors below 10 percent of the LEL are not necessarily safe. Such atmospheres are too lean to burn.
What 3 things make a confined space?
- Limited Openings for Entry and Exit. ...
- The Space is not Intended for Continuous Human Occupancy. ...
- The Space is Large Enough for You to Enter and Conduct Work.
What are the important precautions for confined space?
- any hazardous fumes or material.
- access and exit locations.
- the lighting to properly conduct the task.
- and the types of safety alarms and rescue procedures in the event of a problem.
