Subpart P — Excavations

A. Assuming that cave-in protection were required under 1926 Subpart P (Excavations), and that a shield were used to provide that protection, 1926.652(g)(1)(H) would require the shield to be ...installed in a safe manner to restrict lateral or other hazardous movement of the shield in the event of the application of sudden lateral loads. Therefore, although our standard does not set a maximum distance between a shield box and a trench face, an employer would be required to ensure that, in the event of a collapse of the face, the shield would not move laterally. Trench work is frequently performed with limited room for maneuver, which means that workers can be injured with just a little movement by a trench shield. 

The following figures are a graphic summary of the requirements contained in subpart P for excavations 20 feet or less in depth. Protective systems for use in excavations more than 20 feet in depth must be designed by a registered professional engineer in accordance with 1926.652(b) and (c). 

Safety hazards are treated in the same manner. For example, workers who work in trenches in clean areas of the site would be covered by the OSHA Excavation and Trenching Standard, Subpart P, 29 CFR 1926. Workers who work in trenches in contaminated areas would fall under both Subpart P and HAZWOPER. Workers who do not work in trenches fall under HAZWOPER only when working in contaminated areas and would not be covered by either standard when working solely in clean areas, provided they are not exposed to safety hazards resulting from hazardous waste operations. 

The OSHA rule applies to all open excavations made in the earth s surface, which includes trenches. The regulation is in the construction standards at Subpart P, and covers ... 

If you work for a utility that is covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), there are specific regulations (29 Code of Federal Regulations 1926 Subpart P) that govern most subsurface excavations. 

Subparts—covering major topics within a part. Subpart P of Part 1926 is Excavations. Generally speaking, the Subpart letter is not referenced when referring to the Code. 

Excavation and trenching operations covered by Subpart P of this part, such as foundation operations for above-ground structures that are not physically connected to underground construction operations, and surface excavation nor... 

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