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503 EM 385-1-1 Sections 20-26
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503 EM 385-1-1 SECTIONS 20-26

25.A.08 Mobile equipment and motor vehicle precautions.

  1. When vehicles or mobile equipment are used or allowed adjacent to an excavation, substantial stop logs or barricades must be installed. The use of a ground guide is recommended.
  2. Workers must stand away from vehicles being loaded or unloaded to avoid being struck by spillage or falling materials.
Worker in trench with mobile equipment
Take extra precaution in the trench when working around mobile equipment.
  1. Excavating or hoisting equipment must not be allowed to raise, lower, or swing loads over or adjacent to personnel in the excavation without substantial overhead protection. Personnel must maintain a safe distance from hoisting operation until the load has been placed.

    2. Note: Any equipment used to hoist loads, with the use of rigging attached to the equipment (to include excavators, forklifts, etc.) must be considered "load handling equipment (LHE) or hoisting equipment" and as such, must follow the requirements in Section 16.

  2. Employees exposed to public vehicular traffic must be provided with, and must wear, high visibility apparel as per Section 05.F.

25.A.09 Employees must not be permitted to work on the faces of sloped or benched excavations at levels above other employees except when employees at lower levels are adequately protected from the hazard of falling material or equipment.

25.A.10 When operations approach the location of underground utilities, excavation must progress with caution until the exact location of the utility is determined. Workers must be protected from the utility and the utility must be protected from damage or displacement.

25.A.11 Employees entering excavations classified as confined spaces, or that otherwise present the potential for emergency rescue (i.e., bell-bottom pier holes or similar), must wear rescue equipment and maintain communication with the (confined space) attendant. > See Section 34.

25.B Safe Access.

25.B.01 Protection must be provided to prevent personnel, vehicles, and equipment from falling into excavations. Protection must be provided according to the following hierarchy. > See Appendix Q for definitions of Perimeter Protection: Class I, Class II, and Class III.

perimeter protection measures taken to prevent personnel, vehicles, and materials from falling into an excavation:
  • Class I perimeter protection guarding against personnel falling into an excavation it shall meet the following:
    • Have the strength, height, and maximum deflection requirements for guardrails;
    • Provide fall protection equivalent to that provided by a toprail, midrail, and toeboard; and
    • Have post spacing equivalent to a standard guardrail.
  • Class I perimeter protection guarding against traffic (vehicles and/or equipment) falling into an excavation shall be designed, by a qualified person, to withstand the potential forces and bending moments due to impact by traffic.
  • Class II perimeter protection: consists of warning barricades or flagging placed at a distance not closer than 6 ft (1.8 m) from the edge of the excavation: warning barricades or flagging do not have to meet the requirements for Class I perimeter protection but do need to display an adequate warning at an elevation of 3 ft (0.9 m) to 4 ft (1.2 m) above ground level.
  • Class III perimeter protection: warning barricades or flagging placed a distance not closer than 6 in (15.2 cm) nor more than 6 ft (1.8 m) from the edge of the excavation: warning barricades or flagging do not have to meet the requirements for Class I perimeter protection but do need to display an adequate warning at an elevation of 3 ft (0.9 m) to 4 ft (1.2 m) above ground level.
  1. If the excavation is exposed to members of the public or vehicles or equipment, then Class I perimeter protection is required.
  2. Class II perimeter protection is the minimum protection required if the excavation does not meet the requirements for Class I perimeter protection but is:
    • (1) Routinely exposed to employees, and
    • (2) Is deeper than 6 ft (1.8 m) or
    • (3) Contains hazards (e.g., impalement hazards, hazardous substances).
  3. When workers are in the zone between the warning barricades/ flagging and the excavation, they must be provided with fall protection as specified in Section 21. > See Section 25.A.02.c for exception.
  4. If the excavation does not meet the requirements for either Class I or Class II perimeter protection, then Class III perimeter protection is the minimum protection required.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

25-4. What is required when employees enter excavations classified as confined spaces, or present the potential for emergency rescue?

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