Excavations and Trenching

29 CFR 1926 Subpart P

Objectives
Excavations/Trenching: Subpart P

1926 Subpart P

In this course, we will discuss the following:

1926.650 - Scope, application, and definitions applicable to this subpart 1926.651 - Specific excavation requirements 1926.652 - Requirements for protective systems

Subpart P - Appendices
Appendix A - Soil Classification

1926 Subpart P

Appendix B - Sloping and Benching

Appendix C - Timber Shoring for Trenches

Appendix D - Aluminum Hydraulic Shoring

Appendix E - Alternatives to Timber Shoring

Appendix F - Selection of Protective Systems

Definitions
Excavation

1926.650(b)

Man-made cut, cavity, trench, or depression formed by earth removal.

Trench

Narrow excavation Depth is greater than the width, but not wider than 15 feet.
Shield Structure able to withstand a cave-in and protect employees.

Definitions
Shoring

1926.650(b)

Structure that supports the sides of an excavation and protects against cave-ins.
Sloping

Technique that employs a specific angle of incline on the sides of the excavation.

Definitions
Competent person

1926.650(b)

Must have specific training in and be knowledgeable about:

Soils classification Use of protective systems Requirements of the standard

Must be capable of identifying hazards, and authorized to eliminate them.

Weight of Soil
Weight of soil varies with type and moisture content. One cubic foot weighs 110 pounds to 140 pounds. One cubic yard (27 cubic

feet) of soil can weigh more than 3,000 pounds.

Excavation Hazards
Cave-ins are the greatest risk.

Other hazards include:

Asphyxiation due to lack of oxygen Inhalation of toxic materials/fumes Fire Machinery moving near edge of excavation causing a collapse Severing underground utility lines Falls

Injury and Death

Excavating is one of the

most hazardous construction operations.

Most accidents occur in

trenches 5-15 feet deep.

Usually no warning before

a cave-in.

Specific Excavation Requirements

(a) Surface encumbrances

(b) Underground installations

(c) Access and egress (d) Exposure to vehicular traffic (e) Exposure to falling loads (f) Warning system for mobile equipment (g) Hazardous atmospheres

Specific Excavation Requirements

(h) Protection from hazards associated

with water accumulation

(i) Stability of adjacent structures (j) Protection of employees from loose rock or

soil
(k) Inspections (l) Fall protection

Surface Encumbrances
All surface encumbrances

1926.651(a)

that create a hazard to employees must be removed or supported to safeguard employees.

Underground Installations
Estimated location of

1926.651(b)(1)

utility installations [sewer, telephone, fuel, electric, water lines] must be determined prior to opening an excavation.

Underground Installations
When utility companies or

1926.651(b)(2)

owners cannot respond to request to locate underground utility installations within 24 hours.
Employer may proceed with caution, provided detection equipment, etc. is used to locate utility installations.

Underground Installations
Exact location of

1926.651(b)(3)

underground installations must be determined by safe and acceptable means.

Underground Installations

1926.651(b)(3)

Underground Installations

1926.651(b)(3)

Underground Installations
Underground

1926.651(b)(4)

installations must be protected, supported or removed as necessary to safeguard employees.

Structural Ramps
of equipment must be designed by a competent person.

1926.651(c)(1)(i)

Structural ramps used for access or egress

Egress - Trench Excavation

Stairway, ladder, ramp,

1926.651(c)(2)

or other safe means of egress must be located in trench.

Required if trench 4 feet

or more in depth.
Lateral travel distance

no more than 25 feet.

Egress - Trench Excavation

25 feet

1926.651(c)(2)

25 feet

Ramp, ladder or stairs required at 4 feet or deeper.

Egress - Trench Excavation

1926.651(c)(2)

Egress - Trench Excavation

Is this correct?

1926.651(c)(2)

Exposure to Vehicle Traffic

1926.651(d)

Employees exposed to public vehicular traffic

must wear warning vests or other suitable garments marked with or made of reflectorized or high-visibility material.

Exposure to Falling Loads

under loads handled by lifting or digging equipment.

1926.651(e)

Employees must not be permitted to work

Exposure to Falling Loads

unloaded.
Equipment operators may

1926.651(e)

Stand away from equipment that is being loaded or

stay in their equipment during loading and unloading if equipment has proper cab shield or canopy.

Warning System - Mobile Equipment

Mobile equipment operated adjacent to

1926.651(f)

excavation and operator cannot see edge of the excavation:

Warning system must be utilized.
Barricades Hand or mechanical signals Stop logs

Warning System - Mobile Equipment

Is this correct?

1926.651(f)

Hazardous Atmospheres
trench and regularly thereafter.

1926.651(g)(1)

Testing conducted before employees enter the

Hazardous Atmospheres

1926.651(g)(1)

Less than 19.5% or more than 23.5% oxygen

A combustible gas concentration greater than

20% of the Lower Flammable Limit (LFL)

Concentrations of hazardous substances that

exceed OSHAs Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL)

Hazardous Atmospheres
Test at 4 feet if suspected
LEL
Oxygen CO

1926.651(g)(1)

H2S
Petroleum Other toxics

Emergency Rescue Equipment

1926.651(g)(2)(i)

Emergency Rescue Equipment

Emergency rescue

1926.651(g)(2)(i)

equipment must be readily available where hazardous atmospheric conditions exist or expected to develop during work.
Breathing apparatus Safety harness and line Basket stretcher

Water Accumulation
Employees must not work in

1926.651(h)(1)

excavations where there is accumulated water, or where water is accumulating.

Unless precautions taken to

protect workers:
Water removal to control level of water Special support or shield systems

Water Accumulation

1926.651(h)(1)

Water Accumulation
Water removal

1926.651(h)(2)

equipment and operations must be monitored by a competent person to ensure proper operation.

Water Accumulation
Excavations subject to

1926.651(h)(3)

runoff from heavy rains require an inspection by a competent person.

Well Points Used to Remove Ground Water

What are the hazards?

What are the hazards?

Stability of Adjacent Buildings

Support systems such

1926.651(i)(1)

as shoring, bracing, or underpinning must be provided to ensure stability of structures.

Stability of Adjacent Structures

Excavation below the

1926.651(i)(2)

foundation that could pose a hazard shall not be permitted except:

Underpinning provided

Stable rock
Registered professional

engineer (RPE) has approved

Underpinning
Underpinning to prevent structural failure.

1926.651(i)(2)(i)

Stability of Adjacent Structures

1926.651(i)(3)

Sidewalks, pavements and appurtenant

structure must not be undermined unless supported to protect employees from collapse of such structures.

Protection of Employees
Adequate protection

1926.651(j)(1)

provided to protect employees from loose rock or soil that could pose a hazard by falling or rolling from an excavation face.

Potential Problems
Extra load from spoil pile
Belly bulge

Fissures

Protection of Employees
or materials that could fall or roll into excavations.
Materials and equipment must be kept 2 feet from edge of excavation or use retaining devices.

1926.651(j)(2)

Employees must be protected from equipment

Rule: 2 Feet

1926.651(j)(2)

Two Feet From Edge

1926.651(j)(2)

Extra Surface Loading

1. Whats the Hazard?

2. See it now

Inspections Competent Person

Daily and before the start of each shift.

1926.651(k)(1)

As dictated by the work

being done in the trench.

After every rain storm and

other events that could increase hazards, e.g., snowstorm, windstorm, thaw, earthquake, etc.

Inspections

1926.651(k)(1)

Frequency of testing should be increased if

equipment is operating in trench as well as if welding, cutting, or burning is done in trench.

Fall Protection
Walkways provided when crossing over

1926.651(l)(1)

excavation.
Standard guardrail

installed when more than 6 feet above a lower level.

Protection of Employees
Employees in an

1926.652(a)(1)

excavation must be protected from cave-ins by adequate protective system.

Except when:
Made entirely in stable rock Excavation is less than 5 feet deep and examined by competent person

Sliding

Toppling

Tension Crack

Bulging

Heaving or Squeezing
Soil Weight

Soil Weight

Methods of Protection
Sloping and benching

1926.652

Shoring (spaced sheeting, closed sheeting)

Trench shield Other occasionally used systems

Protective Systems
Protective systems

1926.652(a)(2)

shall have capacity to resist without failure all loads applied or transmitted to the system.

Installation and Removal

1926.652(e)(1)(ii)

Support systems must be installed and

removed in a manner that protects employees from cave-ins.

Installation and Removal

Removal must begin

1926.652(e)(1)(V)

at, and progress from, the bottom of the excavation.

Members released

slowly to note any indication of possible failure of remaining members.

Installation and Removal

than 2 feet below the bottom of the support system or shield must not be permitted.

1926.652(e)(2)(i) and (g)(2)

Excavations of material to a level not greater

Deadly Trench Collapse

Whats the hazard?

Whats the hazard?

Whats the hazard?

Whats the hazard?

Whats the hazard?

Whats the hazard?

Whats the hazard?

Soil Classification
Contains definitions

Appendix A

Sets forth requirements

Describes acceptable visual and

manual test for use in classifying soils

Definitions
Cohesive soil

Appendix A

Clay, or soil with a high clay content, which has cohesive strength Does not crumble

Can be excavated with vertical side slopes

Plastic when moist Hard to break up when dry
Soil types

Definitions
Granular soil

Appendix A

Gravel, sand, or silt, with little or no clay content No cohesive strength Cannot be molded when moist Crumbles easily when dry Note: Some moist granular soils exhibit apparent cohesion

Definitions
Unconfined compressive strength

Appendix A

Load per unit area at which a soil will fail in compression Note: Estimated in the field by use of a pocket penetrometer, thumb penetration test, and other methods

Thread Test
Roll into thread At least 2 inches in length Longer unbroken

Appendix A

thread means more cohesive

Ribbon Test
Roll soil into a cigar shape

Appendix A

Pinch between thumb and finger

Longer ribbon means

more cohesive

Thumb Penetration Test

Appendix A

Pocket Penetrometer

Appendix A

Type A Soil
Most stable: clay, silty clay, and hardpan Not fissured Not subjected to vibration

Appendix A

of any type
Never been previously

disturbed
No seeping water
Unconfined compressive strength greater than 1.5 tons per square foot (tsf)

Type B Soil
Medium stability: silt, sandy

Appendix A

loam, medium clay and unstable dry rock

Previously disturbed soils

unless otherwise classified as type C

Soils that meet the

requirements of Type A but are fissured or subject to vibration

Unconfined compressive strength less than 1.5 tsf and greater than 0.5 tsf

Type C Soil
Least stable: gravel, loamy sand, soft clay Submerged soil or dense,

Appendix A

heavy unstable rock

Soil from which water is

freely seeping

Unconfined compressive strength 0.5 tsf or less

Sloping and Benching

Contains definitions

Appendix B

Sets forth requirements

Configurations of sloping and benching

Allowable Slopes
Soil Type
Stable rock Type A Type B Type C Type A (short term)

Table B-1

Height/Depth Ratio
Vertical :1 1:1 1:1 :1

Slope Angle
90 53 45 34 63

(For a maximum excavation depth of 12 ft)

Excavations Made in Type A Soil

Simple Slope

Excavations Made in Type A Soil

Simple Slope Short Term

Excavations Made in Type A Soil

Simple Bench

Excavations Made in Type A Soil

Unsupported Vertically-Sided Lower Portion

Excavations Made in Type A Soil

Unsupported Vertically-Sided Lower Portion

Excavations Made in Type A Soil

Multiple Bench

Excavations Made in Type A Soil

Support or Shield System

Excavations Made in Type B Soil

Simple Slope

Excavations Made in Type B Soil

Single Bench

Excavations Made in Type B Soil

Multiple Bench

Excavations Made in Type B Soil

Support or Shield System

Excavations Made in Type C Soil

Simple Slope

Excavations Made in Type C Soil

Support or Shield System

Excavations Made in Layered Soils

A over B

Excavations Made in Layered Soils

A over C

Excavations Made in Layered Soils

B over A

Excavations Made in Layered Soils

B over C

Excavations Made in Layered Soils

C over A

Excavations Made in Layered Soils

C over B

Benching

Benching and Sloping

Timber Shoring for Trenches

Need to determine soil classification

Appendix C

Presentation of information
Basis and limitations of the data

Use of tables
Examples to illustrate the use of tables Notes for all tables

Aluminum Hydraulic Shoring

Need to determine soil classification

Appendix D

Presentation of information
Basis and limitations of the data

Use of tables
Example to illustrate the use of the tables Footnotes, and general notes

Figure No. 1

Vertical Aluminum Hydraulic Shoring (Spot Bracing)

18 Max..
Vertical Spacing Vertical Rail

4 Max.
Hydraulic Cylinder 2 Max.

Figure No. 2

Vertical Aluminum Hydraulic Shoring (With Plywood)

Horizontal Spacing Vertical Rail 18 Max. Vertical Spacing

Hydraulic Cylinder
Plywood

4 Max.
2 Max.

Figure No. 3 Vertical Aluminum Hydraulic Shoring (Stacked)

Horizontal Spacing

Vertical Spacing 4 Max. 2 Max.

Hydraulic Cylinder Vertical Rail

Figure No. 4

Aluminum Hydraulic Shoring Waler System (Typical)

Horizontal Spacing

Upright Sheeting Waler

2 Max. Vertical Spacing 4 Max. Hydraulic Cylinder

Alternatives to Timber Shoring

Appendix E

Alternatives to Timber Shoring

Appendix E

Selection of Protective Systems

Appendix F

Illustrates a graphic summary of 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).

Thank You For Attending!

Final Questions?
1-800-NC-LABOR (1-800-625-2267)

www.nclabor.com

Handouts
Place all handouts at the end of this presentation.