We're sorry, but OSHAcademy doesn't work properly without JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript or install a browser that supports Javascript.

503 EM 385-1-1 Sections 20-26
Skip to main content

503 EM 385-1-1 Sections 20-26

25.D.02 Materials and equipment used for protective systems.

Figure 25-1 (Continued)
Image of Figure 25-1 Sloping and Benching (Continued)
  1. Materials and equipment must be free from damage or defects that might impair their proper function.
  2. Manufactured materials and equipment must be used and maintained in a manner consistent with the recommendations of the manufacturer and in a manner that will prevent employee exposure to hazards.
  3. When material or equipment is damaged, a CP must examine the material or equipment and evaluate its suitability for continued use.

25.D.03 Installation and removal of support systems.

Figure 25-1 (Continued)
Image of Figure 25-1 Sloping and Benching (Continued)

> See Figures 25-1 through 25-3.

  1. Members of support systems must be securely connected together to prevent sliding, falling, kickouts, or other predictable failure.
  2. Support systems must be installed and removed in manners that protect employees from cave-ins, structural collapses, or from being struck by members of the support system.
  3. Individual members of a support system must not be subjected to loads exceeding those for which they were designed to withstand.
  1. Before temporary removal of individual members, additional precautions must be taken to ensure the safety of employees, such as installing other structural members to carry the loads imposed on the support system.
  2. Removal must begin at and progress from the bottom of the excavation. Members must be released slowly as to note any indication of possible failure of the remaining members or possible cave-in of the sides of the excavation.
  3. Backfilling must progress together with the removal of support systems from excavations.
  1. For trench excavations: excavation material must be permitted to a level not greater than 2 ft (.6 m) below the bottom of the members of a support system, only if the system is designed to resist the forces calculated for the full depth of the trench, and there is no indication while the trench is open of a possible loss of soil from behind or below the bottom of the support system.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

25-8. Removal of individual members should begin at and progress _____.

Previous Subsection
Next Subsection