Page 31 - Trench and Excavation

or mechanical systems is required to assure that the vehicle will stop before nearing the edge of
the trench.

Finally, no worker is allowed under a load that is being lowered into a trench. This may be difficult
especially when attempting to guide a section of pipe into place. Further, all workers must
evacuate the trench when the trench box is moved vertically.

Access and Egress

The Competent Person must ensure that all workers will have a safe means of entering and exiting
the excavation. A worker is not allowed to enter or exit the trench by climbing on the protective
system (shoring). Therefore, some other means such as ladders, stairways, and ramps are
needed. Ladders and ramps are the usual methods of entry and exit and the Standard has
requirements for both.

Ramps

Ramps can be made man-made or can be excavated (earthen ramp). If the ramp is man-made,
the amount of engineering design expertise is dependent upon the load it must bear. A Competent
Person may design a ramp which is used solely for worker entry and exit, whereas an RPE or
Competent Person qualified in structural design is required to design a ramp which will be used
for equipment. The ramps must be constructed so there is a non-skid surface to be walked on. If
the ramps are made of more than one piece, the cleats or braces that hold the parts together shall
be located and fastened so no one will trip over them.

Ramps and runways shall be constructed of uniform thickness material to prevent a tripping
hazard. Further, if a walkway or bridge is to span a 6 feet or deeper trench which is at least 15
inches wide, it must also have an approved handrail and be of approved width. Please consult
the Construction Standard for Stairways and Ladders for specific details on handrail requirements.

Excavated ramps are considered safe only if an employee can walk unaided (no knotted ropes)
up and down in an upright position. The ramp slope, soil type, environmental conditions, and
obstructions need to be considered by the Competent Person.

Ladders
Ladders can be either manufactured, or job built, if they comply with OSHA standards. Please
consult the Construction Standard for Stairways and Ladders for further details on specifications
for ladders.

Ladders should be secured at the top of the excavation by staking or tying the tip to an immovable
object. Ladders may be tied to the protection system only if the effectiveness of that system is not
impaired. The ladder should not be tied to a vehicle. In all excavations greater than 4 feet in depth,
a safe means of egress is required such that a worker would not have to go further than 25 feet
to reach this means of egress.

Trench & Excavation
Competent Person Training P3 Safety Solutions LLC
Page 31