Confined Space Awareness Training for the Construction Industry

Our Associations:
National Safety Council	American Society of Safety Engineers	National Utility Contractors Association	TSSA
Safety Ambassador’s Club	National Ethics Association	NUCA 40+ Year Member NUCA Safety Committee Co-chair 7 Years NUCA Safety Ambassadors Club Co-Founder NUCA Associate of the Year TSSA Former President
A Few of our 100's of Clients:
Associated Builders & Contractors, Inc.	Associated General Contractors	Consol Energy	Aqua America
Cat Rental	US Steel	Chemsteel	City of Des Moines, IA
City of Fort Wayne, IN	National Trench Safety	City of Waynesboro, VA	City of Wyoming, MI
San Diego Gas and Electric	Pennsylvania Power and Light	Construction Testing & Engineering	Safety Management Services

Trenching and Excavation Safety Two workers are killed every month in trench collapses. The employer must provide a workplace free of recognized hazards that may cause serious injury or death. The employer must comply with the trenching and excavation requirements of 29 CFR 1926.651 and 1926.652 or comparable OSHA-approved state plan requirements. An excavation is any man-made cut, cavity, trench, or depression in an earth surface formed by earth removal. Trench (Trench excavation) means a narrow excavation (in relation to its length) made below the surface of the ground. In general, the depth is greater than the width, but the width of a trench (measured at the bottom) is not greater than 15 feet (4.6 meters). Dangers of Trenching and Excavation Cave-ins pose the greatest risk and are much more likely than other excavation-related accidents to result in worker fatalities. Other potential hazards include falls, falling loads, hazardous atmospheres, and incidents involving mobile equipment. One cubic yard of soil can weigh as much as a car. An unprotected trench is an early grave. Do not enter an unprotected trench. Trench Safety Measures Trenches 5 feet (1.5 meters) deep or greater require a protective system unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock. If less than 5 feet deep, a competent person may determine that a protective system is not required. Trenches 20 feet (6.1 meters) deep or greater require that the protective system be designed by a registered professional engineer or be based on tabulated data prepared and/or approved by a registered professional engineer in accordance with 1926.652(b) and (c). Competent Person OSHA standards require that employers inspect trenches daily and as conditions change by a competent person before worker entry to ensure elimination of excavation hazards. A competent person is an individual who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards or working conditions that are hazardous, unsanitary, or dangerous to workers, soil types and protective systems required, and who is authorized to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate these hazards and conditions. Access and Egress OSHA standards require safe access and egress to all excavations, including ladders, steps,ramps, or other safe means of exit for employees working in trench excavations 4 feet (1.22 meters) or deeper. These devices must be located within 25 feet (7.6 meters) of all workers. General Trenching and Excavation Rules • Keep heavy equipment away from trench edges. • Identify other sources that might affect trench stability. • Keep excavated soil (spoils) and other materials at least 2 feet (0.6 meters) from trench edges. • Know where underground utilities are located before digging. • Test for atmospheric hazards such as low oxygen, hazardous fumes and toxic gases when > 4 feet deep. • Inspect trenches at the start of each shift. • Inspect trenches following a rainstorm or other water intrusion. • Do not work under suspended or raised loads and materials. • Inspect trenches after any occurrence that could have changed conditions in the trench. • Ensure that personnel wear high visibility or other suitable clothing when exposed to vehicular traffic.