513 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 23-29

Sections

25-7. Minimum Plan Requirements.

Excavation and Trenching Plan Requirements

The Competent Person (CP) must develop the Excavation and Trenching Plan for excavations or trenches 5 feet (1.5 m) or deeper, and obtain approval from the USACE supervisor, or acceptance by the KO or COR before starting work.
An Excavation and Trenching Plan is optional for excavations less than 5 feet deep or in stable rock.

Plan Composition

The plan must encompass an Activity Hazard Analysis (AHA), detailed description of the activity including a diagram of the work area, adjacent structures, and utility shutoffs.
It should detail anticipated hazards, concerns, and control measures, including soil type, excavation depth, shoring methods, and management of excavated materials.
Include plans for traffic control, atmospheric monitoring, and confined space entry procedures if applicable.

Personnel and Oversight

Assign roles and responsibilities to personnel, ensuring documentation supports their qualifications and training.
Implement inspection and oversight methods to ensure adherence to the plan.
Outline the process for obtaining necessary dig permits and UXO disposal clearance if applicable.

Special Considerations

For cofferdams, prepare a Controlled Flooding Plan detailing fall protection, access, egress, and evacuation procedures.
Employers must provide prompt rescue for any worker buried during a cave-in, including site-specific self-rescue and assisted rescue procedures, rescue equipment, and coordination with local emergency response services.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

25-5. When must an Excavation and Trenching Plan for excavations or trenches be developed?

If excavations are 5 feet in depth or deeper

If excavation of any depth in stable rock

When excavation are at least 4 feet in depth

For excavations with multiple depths along its length

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EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 25-7.

25-7. Minimum Plan Requirements.

Excavation and Trenching Plan.  An Excavation and Trenching Plan is required when excavations or trenches are 5 feet (1.5 m) or more in depth.  The plan must be developed by a CP, submitted, and approved by the USACE supervisor or accepted by the KO or COR prior to beginning work.  The plan must include the following:

Note.  For excavations or trenches less than 5 feet (1.5 m) in depth, or made entirely in stable rock, an Excavation and Trenching Plan is optional.

a.  Activity Hazard Analysis (AHA) (see para 25-6).  (25-7.a)

b.  Detailed description of activity being performed to include a diagram or sketch of the work area with adjacent and nearby structures shown and locations of utility shut offs, if required.  (25-7.b)

c.  Description of the anticipated hazards or concerns and control measures that will be implemented to control to an acceptable level, to include:  (25-7.c)

(1)  Projected soil types and methods of testing to determine soil type (see table
    25-2).

(2)  Projected maximum depth of the excavation and planned method of shoring, sloping, or benching. Shoring, sloping, or benching for excavations over 20 feet (6.1 m) in depth must be designed by an RPE.  (See para 25-4.c.)

(3)  Plan for management of excavated materials (for example, soil, asphalt, concrete, stone).

(4)  Methods to provide safe access (see para 25-8.h).

(5)  Proposed methods for preventing damage to overhead utility lines, trees designated to remain, and other man-made facilities or natural features designated to remain within or adjacent to the limits of work.

(6)  Plan for traffic control (see chapter 5).

(7)  Atmospheric monitoring procedures and planned method for confined space entry as applicable (see chapter 34).

d.  Assignment of personnel and their roles and responsibilities.  Include necessary information/documentation to support qualification/training of such persons (see paras 18-3, 25-3, and 34-3).  (25-7.d)

e.  Inspection and oversight methods to ensure adherence to the plan.  (25-7.e)

f.  Process for obtaining dig permits (for example, excavation permits) according to paragraph 25-8.f.  (25-7.f)

g.  Certification of unexploded ordnance (UXO) disposal clearance as applicable (see para 25-8.g).  (25-7.g)

h.  For cofferdams.  Prepare a Controlled Flooding Plan that includes fall protection, access and egress, and evacuation procedures (see para 25-8.k).  (25-7.h)

i.  Rescue Procedures.  Employers must provide prompt rescue to all buried workers.  (25-7.i)

(1)  Site and task specific procedures for self-rescue and assisted rescue of any worker who is buried during a cave-in to include rescue equipment.

(2)  Include any other planned methods of rescue (that is, by a jurisdictional, public or Government emergency rescue agencies) and include the point of contact
    information necessary to contact and summon the agency to the accident site.

(3)  If using local emergency response services (for example, local fire/emergency medical services), include a Memorandum of Agreement or Memorandum of Understanding with local responders.