Trenching & Excavation — poster
A cubic yard of soil weighs as much as a pickup truck. When a trench wall lets go, you have no time to move — victims are buried in seconds and crushed, not just trapped. Trench deaths doubled in recent years, and nearly all were preventable.
Any trench 5 ft or deeper needs a protective system: sloping, shoring, or a trench box. Under 5 ft still needs a competent person's judgment — soil doesn't read rulebooks.
A competent person must inspect before each shift and after any rain, vibration, or change. Yesterday's safe trench is today's collapse.
Excavated soil, equipment, and materials stay at least 2 ft from the edge. The extra weight is exactly what pushes walls in.
Ladder, steps, or ramp within 25 ft of every worker in trenches 4 ft or deeper. Know where utilities run — call 811 before any dig.
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