General Safety Practices
Follow these general safety practices below when working in and around excavations:
- Keep heavy equipment away from trench edges.
- Identify other sources that might affect trench stability.
- Keep excavated soil (spoils) and other materials at least 2 feet (0.6 meters) from trench edges.
Notice the cave-in: the trench spoils are not 2 feet from the edge.
- Know where underground utilities are located before digging.
- Test for atmospheric hazards such as low oxygen, hazardous fumes and toxic gases when greater than 4 feet deep.
- Do not work under suspended or raised loads and materials.
- Ensure that personnel wear high visibility or other suitable clothing when exposed to vehicular traffic.
- Do not cross over an excavation unless approved walkways or bridges are provided. Do not use ladders to cross over excavations.
- Check for the possibility of hazardous atmospheres such as a lack of oxygen or the accumulation of combustible gas concentrations.
- Do not let standing water accumulate in or around the trench.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
5-6. What do you need to do when working in and around excavations?
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