Water Accumulation
The employer must prohibit employees from working in excavations where water has accumulated or is accumulating without adequate protection.
If water is in the trench, classify the soil as Type C.
- If water enters the excavation through the soil for any reason, the soil must be considered Type C and adequate protection must be provided.
- If you use water removal equipment to control or prevent water accumulation, you must make sure a competent person monitors the equipment and its operation to ensure proper use.
- If workers enter excavations, methods for controlling standing water and water accumulation must be provided and meet the following requirements:
- use of special support or shield systems is approved by a registered professional engineer;
- water removal equipment, such as well pointing, is used and monitored by a competent person;
- safety harnesses and lifelines are used;
- surface water is diverted away from the trench;
- employees are removed from the trench during rainstorms; and
- trenches are carefully inspected by a competent person after each rain and before employees are permitted to re-enter the trench.
OSHA standards also require the employer to use diversion ditches, dikes and other suitable means to prevent water from entering an excavation and to provide drainage of the adjacent area. A competent person must also inspect those excavations that are subject to runoffs from heavy rains.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
5-4. If water enters the excavation through the soil for any reason, the soil must be considered _____.
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