Excavation Review

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OSHA began because, until 1970, there were no national laws for safety and health hazards.

On average, 12 workers die every day from job injuries

Over 5,600 Americans die from workplace injuries annually

Over 4 million non-fatal workplace injuries and illnesses are reported

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Why is OSHA Important to You?

OSHA stands for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Labor

OSHA’s responsibility is worker safety and health protection

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On December 29, 1970, President Nixon signed the OSH Act

This Act created OSHA, the agency, which formally came into being on April 28, 1971

History of OSHA

OSHA’s Mission

The mission of OSHA is to save lives, prevent injuries and protect the health of America’s workers.

Some of the things OSHA does to carry out its mission are: ◦ developing job safety and health standards and

enforcing them through worksite inspections,◦ maintaining a reporting and recordkeeping system

to keep track of job-related injuries and illnesses, and

◦ providing training programs to increase knowledge about occupational safety and health.

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Who is covered by the OSH Act?

• Most private sector employees• Coverage is provided directly by federal

OSHA or through an OSHA-approved state program

• OSH Act does not apply where other Federal agencies exercise authority over occupational safety and health

• In Mississippi OSHA does not cover city, county and state employees.

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Fatality Reporting

Must report within 8 hours. Reports may be filed by calling:

601 - 965 - 4606. 1 - 800 - 321 - OSHA. Must talk to someone. Can not

leave a message. Failure to report a fatality or catastrophe can

result in a $5,000.00 penalty.

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Temporary Workers

"We are seeing untrained workers – many of them temporary workers – killed very soon after starting a new job. This must stop," said Michaels.

"Employers must train all employees, including temporary workers, on the hazards specific to that workplace – before they start working.

National Fall Stand Down

OSHA has launched an official national safety stand-down website with information on how to conduct a successful stand-down. To learn how to partner with OSHA in this stand-down, visit: http://www.osha.gov/StopFallsStandDown/.

New Release – March 19th Kick-Off – June 2nd Event – June 2nd – 6th

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Excavation Hazards Cave-ins are the greatest risk Other hazards include:

Asphyxiation due to lack of oxygen

Inhalation of toxic materials Fire Moving machinery near the edge

of the excavation can cause a collapse

Accidental severing of underground utility lines

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Myth or Reality

If I am working in a trench less than 5 feet in depth, I don’t need to worry about

cave-in protection?

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Injury and Death• Excavating is one of the

most hazardous construction operations

• Most accidents occur in trenches 5-15 feet deep

• There is usually no warning before a cave-in

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Cave-in Hazard

This excavation has inadequate support posts and egress access

Inadequate protective system13

Inadequate Protective System

This worker is in a trench with no protective system, that is not sloped or benched and has no means of egress

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Trenching Fatality

“We could not use the trench box because the trench was not straight!”

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5 Days Before Christmas!

“But he was only going to be down there for 5 minutes!”

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Underground Utilities The estimated location of utilities shall be

determined prior to the start of excavation work.

Utility owners shall be contacted in order to determine the exact location of the utilities.

Underground utilities shall be protected or removed to safeguard employees.

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AccessDesigned by competent person

< 25’ from employees

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Access and Egress

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Public Vehicular TrafficEmployees exposed to vehicular

traffic shall be provided with and shall wear warning vests or other suitable garments marked with or made of reflective or high-visibility material.

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Falling LoadsNo employee shall be permitted

underneath loads handled by digging or lifting equipment.

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Don't you feel like doing this to at least one person a day??

Don't You Feel Like Doing This To At Least One Person A Day?

Competent PersonA person who is capable of identifying

existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings, or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has AUTHORIZATION to take prompt correction measures to eliminate them.

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Competent PersonMust have had specific training in and be knowledgeable about:

•Soils classification

•The use of protective systems

•The requirements of the standard

Must be capable of identifying hazards, and authorized to immediately eliminate hazards

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Hazardous Conditions

The weight and vibrations of the crane make this a very hazardous condition.

They should not be working under this crane.

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Spoils• Don’t place spoils within 2

feet from edge of excavation

• Measure from nearest part of the spoil to the excavation edge

• Place spoils so rainwater runs away from the excavation

• Place spoil well away from the excavation

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Inspections of Excavations

A competent person must make daily inspections of excavations, areas around them and protective systems:

• Before work starts and as needed,

• After rainstorms, high winds or other occurrence which may increase hazards, and

• When you can reasonably anticipate an employee will be exposed to hazards.

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Inspections of ExcavationsIf the competent person finds evidence of a possible cave-in, indications of failure of protective systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions:

Exposed employees must be removed from the hazardous area

Employees may not return until the necessary precautions have been taken

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Site Evaluation PlanningBefore beginning excavation: Evaluate soil conditions Construct protective systems Test for low oxygen, hazardous fumes and

toxic gases Provide safe in and out access Contact utilities Determine the safety equipment needed

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USDOL – OSHAJackson Area Office

100 W. Capitol StreetSuite 749

Jackson, MS 39269-1620

601-965-4606 Press 1 then 4606 33