Special trade contractors primarily engaged in excavation work and digging foundations, including digging and loading. Contractors in this industry may also perform incidental concrete work.

The information, tools, and resources provided in these Construction Industry web pages are designed to assist those in the industry - whether worker or employer - to identify, reduce, and …

Trenching and excavation hazards are addressed in specific standards for the construction industry. This section highlights OSHA standards and documents related to trenching and …

The cable construction company installation crew was installing a utility pole support anchor in a city sidewalk. They struck and ruptured an underground, high-pressure gas service pipeline, …

The primary hazard of trenching and excavation work is employee injury from a cave-in. Before workers enter a trench, a soil analysis should generally be conducted to determine the …

What is the difference between an excavation and a trench? OSHA defines an excavation as any man-made cut, cavity, trench, or depression in the Earth’s surface formed by earth removal. A …

Describes how soil analysis should be conducted to determine appropriate sloping, benching, and shoring for preventing cave-ins and how employees should be trained on all trenching hazards …

Identify the characteristics of a trench Trench (Trench excavation) means a narrow excavation (in relation to its length) made below the surface of the ground. In general, the depth is greater …

Using OSHA's required protective measures will prevent nearly every excavation related death. Planning is the key to safe excavation work, from ordering utility locates, to providing shoring …

OSHA standards require that employers provide workplaces free of recognized hazards. The employer must comply with the trenching and excavation requirements of 29 CFR 1926.651 …