General Trenching and Excavation Rules (OSHA, n.d.)

• Keep heavy equipment away from trench edges (OSHA, n.d.)

• Keep surcharge loads at least 2 feet (0.6 meters) from trench edges (OSHA, n.d.)

• Know where underground utilities are located (OSHA, n.d.)

• Test for low oxygen, hazardous fumes and toxic gases (OSHA, n.d.)

• Inspect trenches at the start of each shift (OSHA, n.d.)

• Inspect trenches following a rainstorm (OSHA, n.d.)

• Do not work under raised loads (OSHA, n.d.)

Reference

OSHA. (n.d.). OSHA Fact Sheet Trench and Excavation Safety. Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/Publications/trench_excavation_fs.html