Excavation Review
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Why is OSHA Important to You?
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OSHA began because, until 1970, there were
no national laws for safety and health
hazards.
On average, 12 workers die every day from
job injuries
Over 5,600 Americans die from workplace
injuries annually
Over 4 million non-fatal workplace injuries
and illnesses are reported
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History of OSHA
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OSHA stands for the
Occupational Safety and
Health Administration, an
agency of the U.S.
Department of Labor
OSHA’s responsibility is
worker safety and health
protection
On December 29, 1970, President Nixon signed
the OSH Act
This Act created OSHA, the agency, which
formally came into being on April 28, 1971
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OSHA’s Mission
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The mission of OSHA is to save lives, prevent
injuries and protect the health of America’s
workers.
Some of the things OSHA does to carry out its
mission are:
◦ developing job safety and health standards and
enforcing them through worksite inspections,
◦ maintaining a reporting and recordkeeping system to
keep track of job-related injuries and illnesses, and
◦ providing training programs to increase knowledge
about occupational safety and health.
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Who is covered by the OSH Act?
• Most private sector employees
• Coverage is provided directly by federal
OSHA or through an OSHA-approved state
program
• OSH Act does not apply where other Federal
agencies exercise authority over occupational
safety and health
• In Mississippi OSHA does not cover city,
county and state employees.
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Fatality Reporting
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Must report within 8 hours.
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Reports may be filed by calling:
 601 - 965 - 4606.
 1 - 800 - 321 - OSHA.
 Must talk to someone. Can not
leave a message.
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Failure to report a fatality or catastrophe can
result in a $5,000.00 penalty.
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Temporary Workers
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"We are seeing untrained workers – many of
them temporary workers – killed very soon
after starting a new job. This must stop," said
Michaels.
"Employers must train all employees,
including temporary workers, on the hazards
specific to that workplace – before they start
working.
National Fall Stand Down

OSHA has launched an official national safety
stand-down website with information on how
to conduct a successful stand-down. To learn
how to partner with OSHA in this standdown, visit:
http://www.osha.gov/StopFallsStandDown/.
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New Release – March 19th
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Kick-Off – June 2nd
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Event – June 2nd – 6th
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Excavation Hazards
 Cave-ins are the greatest risk
 Other hazards include:
 Asphyxiation due to lack of
oxygen
 Inhalation of toxic materials
 Fire
 Moving machinery near the edge
of the excavation can cause a
collapse
 Accidental severing of
underground utility lines
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Myth or Reality
If I am working in a trench
less than 5 feet in depth, I
don’t need to worry about
cave-in protection?
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Injury and Death
•
Excavating is one of the
most hazardous
construction operations
•
Most accidents occur in
trenches 5-15 feet deep
•
There is usually no
warning before a cave-in
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Cave-in Hazard
This excavation
has inadequate
support posts
and egress
access
Inadequate protective system
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Inadequate Protective System
This worker is in a
trench with no
protective system,
that is not sloped
or benched and
has no means of
egress
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Trenching Fatality
 “We
could not
use the trench
box because
the trench
was not
straight!”
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5 Days Before Christmas!
 “But
he
was only
going to be
down there
for 5
minutes!”
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Underground Utilities
The estimated location of utilities shall be
determined prior to the start of excavation
work.
 Utility owners shall be contacted in order
to determine the exact location of the
utilities.
 Underground utilities shall be protected or
removed to safeguard employees.
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Access
Designed
by
competent
person
< 25’ from
employees
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Access and Egress
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Public Vehicular Traffic
 Employees
exposed to vehicular
traffic shall be provided with and shall
wear warning vests or other suitable
garments marked with or made of
reflective or high-visibility material.
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Falling Loads
 No
employee shall be permitted
underneath loads handled by digging
or lifting equipment.
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Don't You Feel Like Doing This To
At Least One Person A Day?
Don't you feel like doing this to at least one person a day??
Competent Person
A
person who is capable of identifying
existing and predictable hazards in the
surroundings, or working conditions which
are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous
to employees, and who has
AUTHORIZATION to take prompt
correction measures to eliminate them.
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Competent Person
Must have had specific training in and
be knowledgeable about:
•Soils classification
•The use of protective systems
•The requirements of the
standard
Must be capable of identifying hazards,
and authorized to immediately eliminate
hazards
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Hazardous Conditions
The weight and
vibrations of the crane
make this a very
hazardous condition.
They should not be
working under this
crane.
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Spoils
•
Don’t place spoils within 2
feet from edge of excavation
•
Measure from nearest part of
the spoil to the excavation
edge
•
Place spoils so rainwater
runs away from the
excavation
•
Place spoil well away from
the excavation
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Inspections of Excavations
A competent person must make daily
inspections of excavations, areas around
them and protective systems:
• Before work starts and as needed,
• After rainstorms, high winds or other
occurrence which may increase hazards,
and
• When you can reasonably anticipate an
employee will be exposed to hazards.
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Inspections of Excavations
If the competent person finds evidence of a
possible cave-in, indications of failure of
protective systems, hazardous atmospheres,
or other hazardous conditions:
 Exposed employees must be removed
from the hazardous area
 Employees may not return until the
necessary precautions have been
taken
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Site Evaluation Planning
Before beginning excavation:

Evaluate soil conditions
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Construct protective systems
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Test for low oxygen, hazardous fumes and
toxic gases
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Provide safe in and out access
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Contact utilities
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Determine the safety equipment needed
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USDOL – OSHA
Jackson Area Office
100 W. Capitol Street
Suite 749
Jackson, MS 39269-1620
601-965-4606
Press 1 then 4606
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