Trenching and excavation work puts workers in mortal danger if the excavation is not inspected and cave-in protections are not in place. Use this daily checklist as a starting point and edit the list as necessary for location specific regulations and work performed. Remember, excavation sites must also be checked by a competent person whenever conditions change.
Project: ______________________________________________________________________________
Weather: ______________________________ Soil Type: _____________________________________
Trench Depth: ____________________Width: _________________________ Length: ______________
Type of Protective System: ______________________________________________________________
| Yes | No | NA | Excavation |
| Excavations, Adjacent Areas, and Protective Systems inspected by Competent Person daily, before start of work.
|
|||
| Competent Person has authority to remove workers from excavation immediately.
|
|||
| Employees protected from loose rock or soil.
|
|||
| Hard hats worn by all employees.
|
|||
| Barriers provided at all remote excavations, wells, pits, shafts, etc.
|
|||
| Walkways and bridges over excavations 6′ or more in depth equipped with guardrails.
|
|||
| Warning vests, or other highly visible PPE provided and worn by all employees exposed to vehicular traffic.
|
|||
| Employees prohibited from working or walking under suspended loads.
|
|||
| Employees prohibited from working on faces of sloped or benched excavations above other employees.
|
|||
| Warning system established and used when mobile equipment is operating near edge of excavation.
|
|||
| Spoils, materials, and equipment set back a minimum of 2′ from edge of excavation.
|
|||
| Yes | No | NA | Utilities |
| Utility companies contacted and/or utilities located.
|
|||
| Exact location of utilities marked when near excavation.
|
|||
| Underground installations protected, supported, or removed when excavation is open.
|
|||
| Yes | No | NA | Means of Access and Egress |
| Lateral travel to means of egress no greater than 25 feet in excavations four
feet or more in depth.
|
|||
| Ladders used in excavations secured and extended three feet above the edge
of the trench.
|
|||
| Structural ramps used by employees designed by a competent person.
|
|||
| Structural ramps used for equipment designed by a registered professional
engineer (RPE)
|
|||
| Ramps constructed of materials of uniform thickness, cleated together on
the bottom and equipped with no-slip surface.
|
|||
| Employees protected from cave-ins when entering or exiting the excavation.
|
|||
| Yes | No | NA | Wet Conditions |
| Precautions taken to protect employees from accumulation of water.
|
|||
| Water removal equipment monitored by Competent Person.
|
|||
| Surface water controlled or diverted.
|
|||
| Inspection made after each rainstorm.
|
|||
| Yes | No | NA | Hazardous Atmosphere |
| Atmosphere tested when there is a possibility of oxygen deficiency or build-up of hazardous gases.
|
|||
| Oxygen content is between 19.5% and 21%.
|
|||
| Ventilation provided to prevent flammable gas build-up to 20% of lower explosive limit of the gas.
|
|||
| Testing conducted to ensure that atmosphere remains safe.
|
|||
| Emergency Response Equipment readily available where a hazardous atmosphere could or does exist.
|
|||
| Employees trained in the use of Personal Protective and Emergency Response Equipment.
|
|||
| Safety harness and life line individually attended when employees enter deep confined excavation.
|
|||
| Yes | No | NA | Support Systems |
| Materials and/or equipment for support systems selected based on soil
analysis, trench depth, and expected loads.
|
|||
| Materials and equipment used for protective systems inspected and in good
condition.
|
|||
| Materials and equipment not in good condition have been removed from
service.
|
|||
| Damaged materials and equipment used for protective systems inspected by
a registered professional engineer (RPE) after repairs and before being placed back into service.
|
|||
| Protective systems installed without exposing employees to the hazards of
cave-ins, collapses, or threat of being struck by materials or equipment.
|
|||
| Members of support system securely fastened to prevent failure.
|
|||
| Support systems provided in ensure stability of adjacent structures,
buildings, roadways, sidewalks, walls, etc.
|
|||
| Excavations below the level of the base or footing supported, approved by
an RPE.
|
|||
| Removal of support systems progresses from the bottom and members are
released lowly as to note any indication of possible failure.
|
|||
| Backfilling progresses with removal of support system.
|
|||
| Excavation of material to a level no greater than two feet below the bottom
of the support system and only if the system is designed to support the loads calculated for the full depth.
|
|||
| Shield system placed to prevent lateral movement.
|
|||
| Employees are prohibited from remaining in shield system during vertical
movement.
|
Signature of Competent Person: _____________________________________
Date: _________________________________________________
800-ICW-SAFETY (800.429.7233)
SAFETYOnDemand@icwgroup.com
