Excavation Safe Practices Checklist (For Small Business Owners and Contractors)

• Client / Site

• Location
  Address

• Conducted on

  Date

• Prepared by

Safe Practices Checklist

• A designated competent person at the excavation site understands visual and manual test methods, use of protective systems, the hazards of excavation work, and the requirements of regulatory excavation standards.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• A designated competent person inspects the excavation, adjacent areas, and protective systems daily before work begins, as necessary throughout the shift, and after rain or other conditions that could increase the risk of a hazard.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• A designated competent person has authority to immediately correct hazards and to order employees to leave the excavation until the hazards have been corrected.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Sewer, telephone, fuel, electric, or water lines near the site have been located and clearly marked.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Hard hats are required whenever there are overhead hazards.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Debris and other unnecessary material have been cleared from the site.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Excavations at remote sites have appropriate warning barriers.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Employees who are exposed to vehicle traffic are provided with and wear high-visibility garments.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Employees are protected from loose rock or soil that could fall into the excavation.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Employees are prohibited from working or standing under suspended loads.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Employees are required to stand away from vehicles that are being loaded or unloaded.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Employees are prohibited from working on the faces of sloped or benched excavations when other employees are below them.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Mobile equipment operators have an effective way of knowing when they are too close to the edge of an excavation. Examples include barricades, hand or mechanical signals, stop logs, or grading away from the excavation.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Walkways that cross over excavations more that six feet deep have standard guard rails and toe boards.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Spoils, equipment, and tools are at least two feet from the edge of the excavation.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Underground installations are protected, supported, or removed when the excavation is open.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Excavations that have a depth of four feet or more have ladders or other means of safe access within 25 feet of employees.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ladders are secured and extend three feet above edge of the excavation.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• A designated competent person designs the structural ramps that employees use to enter and exit the excavation.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Structural ramps have nonslip surfaces.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Employees are prohibited from entering an excavation that shows signs of water accumulation unless they are protected from the risk of a cave-in.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• A competent person monitors the methods used to control water from accumulating in an excavation.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Surface water or runoff is diverted away from the excavation.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The atmosphere in an excavation is tested when the possibility of a hazardous atmosphere exists.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Employees are protected from hazardous atmospheres or atmospheres containing less than 19.5 percent oxygen.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Emergency rescue equipment is available when hazardous atmospheres could exist in an excavation.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Employees who work in excavations are trained to use appropriate personal protective equipment.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• A designated competent person has classified soil at the excavation site with at least one manual test and one visual test.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Materials and equipment used for protective systems at the excavation site are chosen based upon soil analysis, excavation depth, and expected loads.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Materials and equipment used for protective systems are inspected regularly and in good condition.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Damaged equipment is removed from service immediately.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Protective systems are installed without exposing employees to the risk of cave-ins.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Structures, roadways, and sidewalks adjacent to the excavation are adequately supported.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Excavations are backfilled when protective systems are removed.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Appropriate sloping, shoring, or shielding protects employees who work in excavations five or more feet deep.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• A designated competent person determines the type of shield used at a site by considering factors such as the nature of the work, excavation dimensions, soil characteristics, and equipment used to lower or position the shield.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Employees in excavations more than 20 feet deep are protected by a system designed by a registered professional engineer.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Shields are installed so that they do not move laterally.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Employees are not allowed in shields that are moved vertically.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Recommendation

Completion

• Full Name and Signature of Inspector

  Sign