Excavation or Trench Inspection

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Excavation or Trench Inspection Checklist

Excavation/ Trench Information

Is there a Competent Supervisor [within shouting distance] to remove employees from the excavation immediately? (In the event of an accident)
Excavations, adjacent areas, and protective systems inspected by a competent person daily before the start of work.
Surface encumbrances removed or supported.
REFERENCE: No encumbrances like utilities, foundations, curb-stones, brick paving, rock-water feature, transformer vaults, walkways, bridges, roads, and geologic anomalies present
Rubble, materials and equipment are set back at least 60cm from the edge of the excavation.
Barriers provided at all remotely located excavations, wells, pits, shafts, etc.
Walkways and bridges over excavations 1M or more in depth are equipped with standard guardrails and toe-boards?
Warning system established and utilized when mobile equipment is operating near the edge of the excavation. (Reverse and/or Movement Hooter)
- Yes
- No
- N/A
Employees protected from loose rock or soil that could pose a hazard by falling or rolling into the excavation.
Employees prohibited from going under suspended loads.
Employees prohibited from working on the faces of slopes or benched excavations above other employees.
Hard hats worn by all employees.
Warning vests or other highly visible clothing provided and worn by all employees exposed to vehicular traffic.

Utility companies contacted and/or utilities located.
Exact location of utilities marked.
Underground installations protected, supported, or removed when excavation is open.

Lateral travel to means of egress no greater than 1M wide in excavations 1M or more in depth.
Ladders used in excavations secured and extended three feet above the edge of the trench.
Structural ramps used by employees designed by a competent person.
Structural ramps used for equipment designed by a registered professional engineer (RPE)
Ramps constructed of materials of uniform thickness, cleated together on the bottom, equipped with no-slip surface.
Employees protected from cave-ins when entering or exiting the excavation.

Precautions taken to protect employees from the accumulation of water.
Precautions taken to protect employees from Power Outages? (E.g. Emergency Lights, Glow in the Dark Exit Signs, etc)
Evacuation Plan Displayed at Entrance?
Surface water or runoff diverted or controlled to prevent accumulation in the excavation.
Inspections made after every rainstorm or other hazard-increasing occurrence?

Atmosphere within the excavation tested where there is a reasonable possibility of an oxygen deficiency, combustible or other harmful contaminant exposing employees to a hazard.
Adequate precautions taken to protect employees from exposure to an atmosphere containing less than 19.5% oxygen and/or to other hazardous atmospheres
Ventilation provided to prevent employee exposure to an atmosphere containing flammable gas in excess of 10% of the lower explosive limit of the gas.
Testing conducted often to ensure that the atmosphere remains safe.
Emergency equipment, such as breathing apparatus, safety harness and lifeline, and/or basket stretcher readily available where hazardous atmospheres could or do exist.
Employees trained to use personal protective and other rescue equipment.
Safety harness and lifeline used and individually attended when entering bell bottom or other deep confined excavations

Sufficient Support Systems in place?
Materials and equipment used for protective systems inspected and in good condition.
Materials and equipment not in good condition have been removed from service.
Damaged materials and equipment used for protective systems inspected by a registered professional engineer (RPE) after repairs and before being placed back into service.
Protective systems installed without exposing employees to the hazards of cave-ins, collapses, or threat of being struck by materials or equipment.
Members of support system securely fastened to prevent failure.
Support systems provided in ensure stability of adjacent structures, buildings, roadways, sidewalks, walls, etc.
Excavations below the level of the base or footing supported, approved by an RPE.
Removal of support systems progresses from the bottom and members are released lowly as to note any indication of possible failure.
Backfilling progresses with removal of support system.
Shield system placed to prevent lateral movement.
Employees are prohibited from remaining in shield system during vertical movement.