We’re Serious About Safety

This material is being provided to you as a service of The Beacon Mutual InsuranceCompany for informational purposes only and is not intended, nor shall it be reliedupon, as a comprehensive statement of all possible work related hazards to youremployees or of the federal, state or local laws as which may be applicable to yourbusiness. It is your responsibility to develop and implement your loss prevention policies.You should direct questions concerning specific situations to informed and appropriateadvisors.

One Beacon CentreWarwick, RI 02886-1378

401-825-COMP (2667)

For more information, contact Beacon’s Loss PreventionDivision at 401-825-2732 or visit our website at:

www.beaconmutual.com

Trenches & Excavations Can Be Death TrapsTrenches/excavations can either be death traps or safeplaces for employees to work. Do you let employees enteran unsafe trench for just a minute? Do you follow OSHAand company rules for excavation work? It all adds up.Before allowing employees to enter a trench do you:

Protect employees in an excavation from a cave-in by anadequate protective system designed in accordance withthe OSHA regulations (this could include sloping andbenching, support, or shield systems)?

• Clear all surface hazards and move the spoil pileback the required two feet?

• Locate and protect, support, or remove allunderground utilities and other hazards?

• Provide a safe means of entry and exit fromexcavations that are more than four feet deepthat meets OSHA requirements?

• Test for and abate hazardous atmospheres if theyexist, or could reasonably be expected to exist?

• Provide emergency rescue equipment wherehazardous atmospheres exist or could reasonablybe expected to develop during work in theexcavation?

• Provide adequate protection for employeesworking in excavations where water isaccumulating or could accumulate?

• Provide protection for employees from looserock or soil that could pose a hazard by fallingor rolling from the excavation face?

• Do you require your company/competentperson to:

1. Inspect the excavation, adjacent area, andprotective systems daily for evidence ofsituations that could result in possiblecave-ins, indications of failure of protectivesystems, hazardous atmospheres, or otherhazardous conditions?

2. Inspect the excavation after every rainstormor other hazard-increasing occurrence?

3. Remove employees from the trench/excavation if any of the above hazardsexist?

• Provide walkways where employees and/orequipment are required or permitted to crossover excavations?

Make sure employees are aware of and know:- The previous listed requirements.- When to leave an excavation, and how to respond

to an emergency.- How to properly use the equipment and protective

gear you have provided.- Safe work practices when you or the company/

competent person is not around.- How to report unsafe situations immediately to

their supervisor/competent person.

If you can answer yes to all of the previous questions,then you can be reasonably sure your employees aresafe while working on your excavation project.

Employee Training Requirements

Trenches must be taken seriosly.Your employees need to know you are

sincere about following the rules and youexpect them to do the same.

SA.06.04.01