Protection Systems
29 CFR 1926.652 outlines the requirements for protective systems in excavations to ensure the safety of employees. It includes specifications for the design and implementation of these systems, focusing on safe slopes and configurations.
Pre-Job Planning
Pre-job planning is very important to prevent accidents when trenching. It's always required because safety cannot be improvised as part of the excavation work process.
Competent person conducting pre-job planning.
The following concerns must be addressed by a competent person:
- Evaluate soil conditions and select appropriate protective systems.
- Construct protective systems in accordance with the standard requirements.
- Contact utilities (gas, electric) to locate underground lines.
- Plan for traffic control, if necessary.
- Determine proximity to structures that could affect your choice of protective system.
- Test for low oxygen levels, hazardous fumes, and toxic gases, especially when gasoline engine-driven equipment is running or the soil has been contaminated by leaking lines or storage tanks.
- Provide safe access into and out of the excavation.
- Inspect the site daily at the start of each shift, following a rainstorm, or after any other hazard-increasing event.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
2-1. What is always required because safety cannot be improvised as part of the excavation work process?
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