What are the OSHA requirements for trenches?
OSHA requires employers to provide ladders, steps, ramps, or other safe means of egress for workers working in trench excavations 4 feet (1.22 meters) or deeper. The means of egress must be located so as not to require workers to travel more than 25 feet (7.62 meters) laterally within the trench.
When using a trench box you must?
People working in a trench box must have access to a ladder or other means of egress. The ladder must be secured and located within 25 lateral feet of all workers, and it must extend beyond the top of the trench by 3 feet.
What are trench boxes?
Trench boxes are used to protect workers while performing tasks within an excavation area. Also known as trench shields or sewer boxes, trench boxes are steel or aluminum structures that are inserted into a trench or other excavation to secure the sidewalls from cave-in or erosion.
What is trench safety?
Never enter an unprotected trench. Trenches deeper than 5 feet need to have a protective system in place unless they are made of stable rock. Don’t place any excavated soil/material within 2 feet of the trench edge. Don’t stand near any vehicle being loaded or unloaded. Always wear proper safety equipment.
When excavating deeper than 20 the protective system must be designed by a competent person?
Both visual and manual soil testing will be performed by a “competent person” to determine soil type before employees are allowed to enter a trench. Protective systems for excavations deeper than 20 ft. shall be designed by a registered engineer.
How does a trench box work?
Though not designed to prevent a trench wall from collapsing, trench boxes protect workers from the pressure and weight of soil in the event of a cave-in. Their walls are held apart by spreaders or panels to the desired width. The soil pressures and depth ratings on a trench box are determined by their designs.
How deep are trench boxes?
Trenches 5 feet (1.5 meters) deep or greater require a protective system unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock. If less than 5 feet deep, a competent person may determine that a protective system is not required.
What is the most common protective measure used in pipeline trenching?
Today, shield systems are probably the most commonly used protective systems in the field, and they have come a long way in terms of the features they offer.
What are 5 things you should look for when inspecting a trench?
Soil Distress
- Fissures or cracks on excavation face.
- Slumping of material, soil or rock, from excavation face.
- Bulging or heaving of material at the bottom of the excavation wall that could mean the soil is about to come into the trench.
- The edge of the trench begins to sink.
How do you work in a trench safely?
Trenches deeper than 5 feet need to have a protective system in place unless they are made of stable rock. Don’t place any excavated soil/material within 2 feet of the trench edge. Don’t stand near any vehicle being loaded or unloaded. Always wear proper safety equipment.
When should trenches be inspected by the competent person?
OSHA standards require that trenches be inspected daily and as conditions change by a competent person prior to worker entry to ensure elimination of excavation hazards.
How much does a trench box weight?
Steel Trench Boxes
Sizes | Weight |
---|---|
8′ x 10′ x 3″ | 4,938 lbs |
8′ x 10′ x 4″ | 5,090 lbs |
8′ x 12′ x 3″ | 5,800 lbs |
8′ x 12′ x 4″ | 6,000 lbs |
Who uses trench boxes?
A Trench Box It is used in the construction work. It provides stability to a trench and keeps the utility workers safe while they carry out their duties. It is a two sided support system used in a mechanical excavation. A trench box is an important shoring equipment which is a boon for excavators.
How much does a trench plate weigh?
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
Color: | Silver / Grey |
---|---|
Length: | 10′ |
Width: | 6′ |
Weight: | 2,450 lbs. |
Material: | ASTM-A36 steel with a skid surface, treated with a polymer-based FLEXKIT |
What is the first thing to consider when working in a trench?
Temporary support – Before digging any trench pit, tunnel, or other excavations, decide what temporary support will be required and plan the precautions to be taken. Make sure the equipment and precautions needed (trench sheets, props, baulks etc) are available on site before work starts.
When should excavations inspected?
Inspection. A competent person who fully understands the dangers and necessary precautions should inspect the excavation at the start of each shift. Excavations should also be inspected after any event that may have affected their strength or stability, or after a fall of rock or earth.
How much do trench plates weigh?
What depth is a trench box required?
5 feet
Trenches 5 feet (1.5 meters) deep or greater require a protective system unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock. If less than 5 feet deep, a competent person may determine that a protective system is not required.
How thick are trench plates?
Some common sizes for trench plates that are one inch thick include: 4×4, 4×6, 4×8, 4×10, 4×12, 4×16, 5×8, 5×10, 5×12, 5×16, 6×8, 6×10, 6×12, 6×16, 8×10, 8×12, 8×16, 8×20.
How much does a 4×8 trench plate weight?
Features:
Model | Thickness | Weight (lb.) |
---|---|---|
4 x 8 | 1″ | 1,306 |
5 x 10 | 1″ | 2,040 |
6 x 10 | 1″ | 2,449 |
8 x 12 | 1″ | 3,912 |
What is trench excavation?
TRENCH: An excavation in which material removal forms a narrow opening in the ground. Unlike large excavations, a trench is generally deeper than it is wide. OSHA considers an excavation to be a trench if it is 15 feet wide or less at the bottom of the excavation.
How do you size a trench box?
A trench box must be used when a confined space is 5 feet or greater in –depth. It must extend 18 inches above the surface, and it must be no greater than 2 feet from the bottom.
How much does a trench plate weight?
What is a heavy tested container?
Heavy tested (HT) containers are containers built to transport a load that exceeds the standard weight. Some shipping companies use this abbreviation for Hard Top containers. They are Open Top containers with a lid, especially for loads that do not exceed container height, but which do need to be loaded from the top for handling reasons.
What are the safety requirements for trenching?
Thus, safe trenches can reduce your workers’ exposure to associated hazards such as falling loads, falls, hazardous atmosphere, etc. OSHA requires employers to comply with trenching and excavation requirements of 29 CFR 1926.651 and 29 – CFR 1926.652 or any other OSHA-approved state safety standards.
Does OSHA require atmospheric testing for trenches?
Hazardous Atmospheres Oxygen levels may be depleted within the trenches; so, you must take precautionary measures to deal with such occurrences. Any excavation exceeding 4 feet requires atmospheric testing by a registered professional as per OSHA’s standards.
What should be kept away from trench edges?
Heavy equipment, tools, loads, and other materials should be kept away from trench edges. Trenches 4 feet or deeper require exits by ladder or ramp (within 25 feet of each worker). Surcharge loads must be kept at least 2 feet from trench edges.