Introduction
Excavation and trenching are among the most hazardous construction operations. OSHA's standard, 1926, Subpart P, Excavations, contains requirements for excavation and trenching operations.
This course highlights methods for protecting employees against cave-ins, and describes safe work practices for employees. A necessary first step in planning the approach to any trenching or other excavation project is to understand what could go wrong. This understanding can help avoid many of the problems associated with excavation.
This course is also not intended to be a guideline for compliance with all pertinent OSHA regulations, but rather an overview of safe practices in trenching operations. The course provides general information about the hazards, protective systems, and safe work practices related to working in excavations and trenches.
Course Objectives
| ID | Objective |
|---|---|
| TO 1.0 | Achieve a minimum score of 70% on the final course assessment. |
| LO 1.1.1 | Describe the difference between an excavation and a trench. |
| LO 1.1.2 | Describe some common soil problems that create hazards in excavations including tension cracks, slide or sluffing, and heaving or squeezing. |
| LO 1.1.3 | Describe the differences among Type A, B, and C soils in terms of stability and describe the various visual and manual soil testing methods. |
| LO 1.1.4 | Discuss the role of and requirements for the excavation competent person in activities before, during, and after the completion of the excavation. |
| LO 1.2.1 | Describe design requirements for the primary employee protection methods: sloping, shoring, and shielding, and give examples. |
| LO 1.2.2 | Briefly describe the steps in installing and removal of protective systems. |
| LO 1.2.3 | Discuss the requirements for safe ingress into and egress from excavations. |
| LO 1.2.4 | Discuss various additional safety precautions for workers while working in the excavation. |
Key: Terminal Objective (TO), Learning Objective (LO)