Trenches and excavations

A. OSHA Instruction CPL 02-00-069—CPL 2.69—Special Emphasis Trenching and Excavation, September 19,1985. 

J. Excavation/trenching hazards specified below that are covered by the Special Emphasis Program— Trenching and Excavation (See CPL 02-00-069)... 

Trenches and excavations are dangerous. Trenches and excavations with underground utilities exposed, or in the process of being exposed, are more dangerous. 

A complete and detailed rundown of all the rules and regulations for trench and excavation safety would be far too lengthy to tackle in a tailgate safety meeting. But the following are a few points to remember. (For specific regulations, refer to the OSHA standard referenced above.)... 

Trenching and Excavation Safety Vehicle Safety Winter Cold... 

All successful oil and gas extraction work begins with proper site preparation, such as building the access road, leveling the site, ensuring the ground is stable, and digging the necessary trenches and excavations. Remember to take critical precautions when drilling... 

The major hazard related to buried in or by is through cave-ins of unprotected trenches and excavations. Cave-ins crush or suffocate workers. In addition ... 

Trenches and excavations are inspected by competent person. Explain. 

K your company is a metal stamper or manufacturer, you will probably have a lot of concern over machine guarding issues. In fact, you might have a volume or more regarding punch press guarding, shears, assembly lines, paints and finishes, and more. If your company deals more with construction, you will likely have a concern regarding steel erection, tying off, trenching and excavation, and other issues. If your company does office... 

This position has been identified as safety sensitive because one or more of the following are essential functions of the position Operating heavy equipment, operation of a commercial vehicle, setting up work zone traffic control, confined space work, trenching and excavation work, operation of a forklift, flagging, working with water treatment chemicals, driving (as a primary function of the... 

The applications and limitations of passive gas control systems must also be understood. They can be used at virtually any site where there is the capability to trench or drill and excavate to at least the same depth as the landfill. Limiting factors could include the presence of a perched water table or rock strata. Passive vents should generally be expected to be less effective in areas of high rainfall or prolonged freezing temperatures. 

A trench is excavated perpendicular to the flow of groundwater to a depth below the water table. A perforated pipe is placed in the trench and the remainder of the trench is backfilled with gravel. Groundwater is collected in a main collector pipe and flows to a sump, from which it is pumped to the surface for treatment. 

Costs can be lowered with the use of newer types of pipes, insulating materials and excavation techniques. Plastic piping in long rolls is laid in plastic insulation and placed in narrow trenches. Using these techniques, hundreds of feet of pipe can be laid quickly. Metal radiators can also be replaced by plastic units. 

Systematic sampling on a two-dimensional grid is used for characterizing large areas of surface soil floors and walls of excavation pits and trenches and for the verification of decontaminated surfaces cleanup. An example of a systematic sampling... 

The need for metrics is particularly important in process safety, in no small measure because the hazards may not be readily evident. Unlike some other safety risks where dangerous situations are more apparent—such as unsafe scaffolding, unsecured cables, trenches, and other excavations—information on the status and safety of hazardous containment systems (e.g., internal corrosion, an improperly sized relief valve) is not generally visible. Without a constant and reliable flow of information on process safety performance and management systems, leaders may, in essence, be flying blind. 

Trenches are excavated by mechanical equipment. Backhoes are effective to depths of 70 to 80 feet. For deeper trenches, cranes and clamshell... 

Barricading or isolating the work site, to prevent close approach by unauthorized persons. Placement locations for earth or other materials that are removed from the excavation. Protection provided against cave-in or collapse of trench or excavation walls, using shoring and/or sloping. 

If working on pile driving, know the special hazards of this work. If working on trenching and/or shoring associated with a work zone, be sure all excavations are being properly shored and be aware of cave-in hazards. 

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