Excavations are recognized as one of the most hazardous operations in the construction industry. Excavation cave-ins can cause serious and often fatal injuries to employees. OSHA places very strict regulations governing the design of an excavation, cave-in prevention methods and employee training. Employees working in or around excavations need to be knowledgeable of safety requirements.
REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL EXCAVATIONS 
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All employees working in an excavation must receive initial training.
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A competent person must be clearly identified for all excavations. This person must be knowledgeable in assessing soil conditions, the use of protective systems and OSHA requirements.
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The soil type must be identified by the competent person on site:
- Type A - clay, silty clay, sandy clay, clay loam and cemented soils (hardpan)
- Type B - angular gravel, silt, silt loam and sandy loam
- Type C - gravel, sand and loamy sand -
Excavated material must be placed at least two feet away from the edge of any excavation.
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Precautions must be taken to ensure vibrating equipment/vehicular traffic does not cause a cave-in.
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No employee shall enter an excavation that contains standing or seeping water.
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Access (ladder/ramp) must be provided and located so no worker must travel more than 25 feet to exit.
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Employees at the edge of an excavation six feet or more in depth shall be protected from falling.
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If conditions change in or around the excavation, employees must exit the excavation and a competent person must re-inspect and give approval for employees to re-enter.
EXCAVATIONS 5 FEET OR GREATER IN DEPTH
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Sloping, benching, or other approved cave-in protection systems must be utilized.
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Trench boxes/shoring must be a designed and approved system.
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The trench box should extend at least 18 inches above the surrounding ground surface.
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Excavations greater than 20 feet must be designed by an engineer.
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