BLRs Safety Training Presentations

Trenching and Shoring 29 CFR 1926.650

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A Trenching Tragedy
False sense of security Knew they were out of compliance Thought the soil was stable Conditions changed overnight A worker died

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Trenching Statistics
About 400 U.S. workers die in trench-related accidents each year About 6,400 are seriously injured

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Trenching and Shoring Goals

Hazards, soil, protective systems Safe work practices and hazard awareness Quiz

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What Is a Trench
A narrow excavation that is deeper than it is wide No more than 15 feet wide at bottom Walls will eventually fail

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What Is a Cave-in
Soil or rock that suddenly falls or slides into an excavation Sufficient quantity to entrap, bury, injure or immobilize Soil gravitates downward, pressure pushes soil inward toward the trench Bottom third of wall typically fails first Soil above the collapsed lower wall follows
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Cave-in Injuries
Soil weighs 125 lbs. per cubic foot A worker can be crushed by soil, rock, or an object Suffocationeven if workers head is not buried, soil prevents chest expansion Immobilized by soils suction effect
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Soil Classification
Grain size Saturation Cohesiveness Unconfined compressive strength

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Soil Types
Type A (most stable)dense and heavy clay Type B-silt, sandy loam, medium clay Type C (least stable) gravel, loamy sand, soft clay

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Sloping and Benching

Sloping: angling of walls at an incline Benching: series of steps to angle walls Soil type determines angle of slope/bench
Type A: 3 feet horizontal to 4 feet vertical (3/4:1) Type B: 4 feet horizontal to 4 feet vertical (1:1) Type C: 6 feet horizontal to 4 feet vertical (1-1/2:1) Benching not permitted for Type C soil

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Shoring
Support walls designed to prevent cave-in Usually built in place and designed by an engineer Components include: uprights (sheeting), wales, and cross braces

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Shielding
Withstands forces of a cave-in and protects employees within Permanent or portable Trench boxes

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Trench Boxes
Often designed to stack Never use sheeting to extend the height Can be used in conjunction with sloping and benching No one permitted inside when being raised or lowered

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Trenching and Shoring Goals

Hazards, soil, protective systems Safe work practices and hazard awareness Quiz

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Excavation Inspections
Inspections conducted before work starts, throughout shift, after rainstorm Excavations inspected for:
Evidence of possible cave-ins Indications of failure of protective systems Potential hazardous atmosphere

If hazardous condition found, workers are removed

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Signs of Soil Distress

Fissures or cracks on excavation face Slumping of material from excavation face Bulging or heaving of material at the bottom of excavation wall The sinking of excavations edge Ravelling, or small amounts of material (i.e., pebbles) trickling into excavation

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Conditions Causing Soil Distress

Nearby vibrating machinery Nearby heavy, moving loads Seeping water or rain Hot, dry weather

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Hazardous Atmospheres
Excavations near sewers, landfills, hazardous substances storage area Test atmosphere when deeper than 4 feet Ventilation or appropriate PPE Rescue and emergency equipment

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Falling Soil or Equipment

Protect workers from loose rock/soil that may fall from an excavation face
Scaling to remove loose soil Protective barricades, such as shoring or shields

Protect workers from material or equipment that could fall into the excavation
Keep material/equipment 2 feet from edge Use retaining devices
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Adjacent Structures
Excavations might endanger stability of buildings, walls, other structures Sidewalks, pavement not undermined unless supported to prevent collapse on excavation workers Shoring, bracing, or underpinning used to ensure stability for employee protection

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Water Accumulation
Workers have drowned in the water at the bottom of a trench or excavation Never work in an excavation where water is accumulating without proper precautions Special shoring or shield system Water removal system Use of safety harness and lifeline

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Other Trenching Issues

Mark underground utilities Stand away from lifting/digging equipment Use of warning systems or barricades Use hard hats

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Other Trenching Issues (cont.)

Trenches 4 feet deep or more must have exit means within 25 feet of every worker Use fall protection Do not work on sides of sloped or benched excavation above other workers Worker on top watches excavation walls to warn trench workers of potential hazards

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Trenching and Shoring Goals

Hazards, soil, protective systems Safe work practices and hazard awareness Quiz

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Summary
Cave-ins occur suddenly and can entrap, bury, or injure Soils have varying stability that determines the appropriate protection Always use protection systems Be aware of signs of soil distress Be aware of all the hazards associated with working around excavations
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Quiz
1. Describe two signs of soil distress: __________________________________________, __________________________________________. 2. Describe why a worker buried up to the neck would not be able to breathe: __________________________________________. 3. When working in a 4-foot trench, there must be an exit within 25 feet. True or False 4. Shielding is designed to prevent an excavated wall from caving in. True or False 5. Name a portable device used for shielding: __________________________________________.
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Quiz (cont.)
6. How does water or rain impact the classification of soil? ___________________________________ 7. Trenches near landfills may not contain enough oxygen to support life. True or False 8. Describe a way to protect trench workers from falling soil or objects:_______________________________ 9. Excavations need to be inspected only right after they are first dug. True or False 10. If you dont know the soil type, what slope angle should you use to be safe?_____________________________
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Quiz Answers
1. Signs of soil distress include cracks, slumping, bulging, sinking edge, or trickling pebbles. 2. The soil exerts about 800 lbs. of pressure on the chest, which prevents expansion. 3. True. 4. False. Shoring prevent cave-ins and shielding protects workers from a cave-in. 5. A trench box is a portable device that is used for shielding.
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Quiz Answers (cont.)

6. Rain or water decreases the stability of soil. Saturated soil can be very unstable. 7. True. The trench might be filled with a heavy gas (from the landfill) that displaces oxygen. 8. Remove loose soil by scaling, provide protective barriers, keep material 2 feet from trenchs edge. 9. False. Inspect excavations daily, throughout the shift, and after conditions change. 10. 1-1/2 feet horizontal for every vertical foot. So a 10-foot-deep-trench would slope out 15 feet.
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