Excavation Competent Person Training
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Scope and Application
OSHA's revised rule applies to all open excavations made in the earth's surface, which includes trenches. According to the OSHA construction safety and health standards, 1926.650(b), a trench is referred to as a narrow excavation made below the surface of the ground in which the depth is greater than the width—the width not exceeding 15 feet (4.5 meters). An excavation is any man-made cut, cavity, trench or depression in the earth's surface formed by earth removal. This can include excavations for anything, from cellars to highways. The standard does not apply to house foundation/basement excavations (includ- ing those that become trenches by definition when formwork, foundations or walls are constructed) when all of the following conditions are present:
• The house foundation/basement excavation is less than 71/2 feet (2.5 meters) deep or is benched for at least 2 feet (0.61 meters) horizontally for every 5 feet (1.52 meters) or less of vertical height;
• The minimum horizontal width (excavation face to formwork/wall) at the bottom of the excavation is as wide as practicable but not less than 2 feet (0.61 meters);
• There is no water, surface tension cracks nor other environmental conditions present that reduce the stability of the excavation;
• There is no heavy equipment operating in the vicinity that causes vibration to the excavation while employees are in the excavation;
• All soil, equipment and material surcharge loads are no closer in distance to the top edge of the exca- vation than the excavation is deep; however, when front end loaders are used to dig the excavations, the soil surcharge load must be placed as far back from the edge of the excavation as possible, but never closer than 2 feet (0.61 meters).
• Work crews in the excavation are the minimum number needed to perform the work; and
• The work has been planned and is carried out in a manner to minimize the time employees are in the excavation.