CHAPTER 30 – TRENCHING AND EXCAVATION SAFETY

A. REFERENCES:

B. Appendices

Appendix A: Trenching and Excavation Checklist

C. SCOPE and Purpose:

The following procedures apply to VCEA employees working in or around excavations or trenches.  Although VCEA is not directly involved in excavation or trenching activities, VCEA employees may participate in research activities that involve limited excavation or trenching.  This policy provides guidance for working in or around trenches and excavations.

D. TRAINING:

All supervisors and employees working in or around trenches and excavations must be trained in trench and excavation safety procedures. VCEA supervisors (Principle Investigator, Safety Coordinator, and/or their designee) shall be trained in the duties and knowledge, whereas a Competent Person would be able to recognize hazards and understand the safety requirements associated with excavations, trenches, and applicable engineering controls for personal safety reasons. VCEA employees shall have a basic understanding of excavation and trench related hazards, protective systems and egress requirements.

EHS’ Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) unit will provide training to employees.  All training must be documented by supervisors. Other APP chapters may apply to work in or around trench and excavations including fall protection (Chapter 11), ladder safety (Chapter 18) and confined spaces (Chapter 08). 

E. PROCEDURES:

Entering excavations or trenches should be avoided, if possible. Often environmental samples can be collected from an excavator bucket or by personnel directly involved in the excavation. Supervisors and employees must communicate with the Competent Person responsible to determine if such action is feasible without compromising safety.

A Competent Person is defined by the following:  One who can identify existing or predictable hazards in the surroundings that are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees.  The competent person must be authorized to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate excavation and trenching hazards. The competent person must demonstrate knowledge of WAC 296-155- Part N.  Competent Persons are designated by a WSU entity or contractor responsible for the trench work. 

When working near or entry into an excavation or trench is necessary, the following rules and procedures apply:

  • Do not enter a trench or excavation greater than 4-feet in depth unless the Competent Person is present.
  • Excavations or trenches less than 4-feet deep may me entered if a Competent Person clears the area of a potential cave-in.
  • Do not enter a trench or excavation without supervision.
  • Communicate your scope with the Competent Person to review ingress/egress routes, known hazards, PPE requirements and specific procedures required for entry or working nearby.
  • Supervisors must ensure a hazard assessment is completed prior to entry into a trench or excavation. A generic hazard assessment form for trench and excavation work is found in Appendix A and may be used for this purpose. However, this must be reviewed with the employee to evaluate additional hazards as needed to support the work.
  • All employees must comply with safety and health rules and practices on contractor controlled job sites. This includes specific requirements set forth by the Competent Person of a trench or excavation. Requirements may include additional PPE, safety clothing or areas designated for restricted access.  Supervisors are responsible for reviewing these requirements and ensuring employee compliance in order to perform the work safely.
  • Do not enter a trench or excavation if you recognize a serious safety issue. This may include, but is not limited to; improper shoring or sloping, water accumulation, improper or unsafe ingress/egress routes, indications of soil failure or stress/undercutting, hazardous air quality or unprotected utilities.

All employees may reference Appendix A to ensure safety measures and technical information have been addressed by the Competent Person prior to entry.

Appendix A – Trench Excavation Checklist

TRENCHING AND EXCAVATION CHECKLIST 
  PROJECT TITLE: Number:
COMPETENT PERSON:    
SITE LOCATION:    
Overhead hazards (general):PRE-JOB:JOB START:Hazard Control 
Trees    
Arches/Bridges    
Overhead Power Lines    
Light Poles/Traffic Signals    
Other (list)    
Soil Conditions:PRE-JOB:JOB START:Hazard Control 
Depth of Excavation:    
Trench Length and Width:    
Soil Class. type (A/B/C):    
Type Of Test    
Spoils/Materials Set Back    
Other (list)    
Protective Systems:PRE-JOB:JOB START:Hazard Control 
Sloping/benching    
Shoring    
Box    
Fall Protection Plan    
Other    
Traffic ControlPRE-JOB:JOB START:Hazard Control 
Street and Road Barricades    
Street and Road Signs    
Walkway Barricades and Signs    
Detour Plan    
Transportation Services    
Other    
     
Storm Water Pollution PreventionPRE-JOB:JOB START:Hazard Control 
Storm Drain Protection    
Air Quality Control-Dust Control    
Hydrant Back Flow Prevention    
Other (list)    
PPE/Personal Equipment:PRE-JOB:JOB START:Hazard Control 
Hard Hats    
Warning Vests    
Hearing Protection    
Eye Protection    
Personal Fall Protection    
Other    
Equipment on Site:PRE-JOB:JOB START:Hazard Control 
Water removal equipment    
Other (list)    
Other (list)    
Other (list)    
Other (list)    
Utility Locates & Protection:PRE-JOB:JOB START:Hazard Control 
Gas lines    
Communication lines    
Power lines    
Water/sewer/irrigation lines    
Steam/condensate lines    
Chilled water lines    
Other (list)    
Trench Access and ExitPRE-JOB:JOB START:Hazard Control 
Ladder    
Ramp    
Other (list)