Excavation, Trenching and Shoring

Objective and Topics Covered

To provide an overview of basic
trenching requirements
Some statistical data and stories about people who were
injured or killed while working in trenches or excavations.
What you need to know to be in compliance with WISHA
safety rules.
How to determine the resistance of the soil to collapse when
excavated.
What you can do to protect yourself and crew from
excavation collapse

Trenching Fatalities
U.S. construction sites - 2003:
53 fatalities
74% caused by soil collapse
75% had no protective measures
Washington State Construction Sites 2000-2004
5 fatalities
80% caused by soil collapse

Example of a Hazardous Trench

This trench is well over 4 deep in loose sand and has no
protective system in place. The spoils pile is too close to the
edge of the trench, there is no means of access or egress and
the equipment is working right at the edge.

Most Common Violations

No shoring or protective system used
when required by code
Excessive surcharge loading (spoils piles
too close to excavation)
Access & egress for excavations over 4
deep (workers are not using ladders, are
using prohibited step ladders or ladders
do not extend 3 above landing)

Process for Safe Trench Work

Verify utility location

Identify/verify competent person
Review soil classification
Choose the correct protective system for soil
type
Verify safe installation
Comply with all general protection rules
Inspect site daily

Definitions
Competent person
Can identify existing or predictable hazards
Knows the requirements of the rule
Is trained in soils analysis and use of protective systems.
Has authority to take corrective action

Registered Professional Engineer: (RPE)

Registered by the Washington State Department of Licensing, IAW
Chapter 18.43 RCW

Employers must locate utilities

before digging
www.Callbeforeyoudig.org
or Call 1-800-425-5555
Its Free

Underground Installations
Utilities that may
reasonably be expected
to be encountered shall
be locate prior to
opening an excavation.
Electrical
Gas
Sewer
Water
Telephone/Cable TV
Caution: older installations may not
show up on current utilities maps.

What makes trenches hazardous?

All of the factors in this
illustration can create deadly
conditions for workers in the
trench.
Equipment operating close to
the trench spoils piles that are
closer than 2 from the edge of
the trench increases the
surcharge and may exceed the
maximum capacity of the
protective structure.
Additionally, the vibration from
equipment and weather
conditions constantly change
the condition of the soil.

The Competent Person must take all of

these factors into consideration and
reevaluate the jobsite periodically.

Mobile equipment near excavation

Surcharge load from
vehicles

Control water accumulation

Water accumulation in a trench

is hazardous. You must take
measures to ensure that water
does not accumulate in the
trench or take precautions to
protect workers from the
hazard.
Diversion ditches and dikes
must be used for natural
drainage of streams
interrupted by the excavation
or in anticipation of heavy
runoff from rains.

You may require special

support or shield systems
if water stands in trench.

A water control system with problems

The pump should be
positioned where it will not
create an overhead hazard
and must be monitored by a
competent person.
In situations such as this,
the worker may be required
to wear a safety harness and
lifeline.

Classifying Soils

Classify the type of soil you will be

working on:
Type A*
Type B
Type C
*Most engineers agree that less than 5% of soil
in Washington can be classified Type A.

Soil classification
Type A
Fine grained
Doesnt crumble
Hard to break up when dry
Examples:
Clay
Hardpan
Silty or sandy clay, clay loam

Clay Loam

Clay

Soil Classification
Type A
Even if soil has high clay
content and is plastic when
moist, it cannot be
classified as Type A if it is
fissured, has been
previously disturbed, or
is subject to vibration from
heavy traffic, etc.

This soil is fissured

changing the classification
from A to B

Soil classification
Type B

Granular: coarse grains

Little or no clay content
Crumbles easily when dry
Examples:
Silt-fine mineral particles in size
between clay and sand
Loam-from fragments of rock
deposits in water
Angular gravel-crushed rockthe angular nature of the
individual rocks provides some
resistance to movement

Silty loam

Loam

Angular gravel

Soil Classification
Type C*
Granular soil: very
coarse
Minimal cohesion
Examples:

Sand
Gravel
Loamy sand
Submerged soil or soil with
freely seeping water
Submerged rock that is not
stable.

*Type C is the most common soil

classification in Washington.

Sand

Gravel

Loamy sand

Types of Protection
Your Choices are:
Sloping
Shoring
Shields
Designed by a Registered
Professional Engineer

What are the requirements?

Use protective systems when there is
potential for cave-in:
Under 4 deep if potential for cave-in exists
4 to 20 deep
Sloping
Shield or shoring

Over 20 deep approved in manufacturers

tabulated data or designed by registered
professional engineer
Protective system is not required for stable
rock

Sloping
Sloping is the process of
removing soil to eliminate
the chance of a cave in.
The required maximum
allowable slope is
determined by the class of
soil. The requirements are
as follows:
For each foot of trench depth, the ratio of slope measured from
the trench edge at ground height must be:
Soil Type A to 1 (53)
Soil Type B 1 to 1 (45)
Soil Type C 1 to 1 (34)

Shoring
Shoring is one of the
most common used
methods of worker
protection. It is lightweight, portable and
easy to install.
The manufacturer
provides tabulated
data with the shoring
that provides the
limitations, required
spacing and proper
use.

The above photo shows an example

of aluminum hydraulic shoring.

Shields
Shields are manufactured by a
number of companies and are
designed to protect workers working
within the confines of the shield.
Tabulated data for the maximum
allowable depth it can be used. The
tabulated data must accompany the
shield when it is being used.
Additionally, the shield must be
designed by a Registered Professional
Engineer, be in good condition, and
used properly.

Shields That Dont Go All

The Way To The Bottom...
Excavation of material to a
level no greater than 2
feet below the bottom of
the members of a support
system is permitted only
if:
the system is designed to
resist the forces calculated
for the full depth of the
trench,
there are no indications
while the trench is open of a
possible loss of soil from
behind or below the bottom
of the support system.

RPE Designed
A Registered Professional Engineer can
design a protection system for use on a
specific project.
The engineer will consider the soil type and
conditions* that exist at the excavation site.
The system must be used as designed.
*The competent person must check the soil condition at least daily
or when site conditions change.

Other Shoring Method Examples

Must be designed by a registered
professional engineer regardless of depth

Provide safe entry and exit

A trench that is 4 or more in depth
must have a safe means for workers
to get in and out of the trench.
A means of egress is required to be
placed within each 25 of lateral
travel.
The most common method is a
straight ladder. If a ladder is used, it
must extend a minimum of 3 above
the landing. The use of step ladders
is not permitted.
Other means include stairways, ramps
and other means designed by a RPE.

Provide safe entry and exit

Buckets of excavators, backhoes, etc. are not to
be used as a means of egress.

To Review the Rule Details

Link to the Rules for

Excavation, Trenching and Shoring

WAC 296-155, Part N

What If I Have More Questions?

If you have more questions on trenching
and excavation, call:
1-800-4BE-SAFE

OR
Call your local Labor and Industries office
and ask to speak to a safety consultant.
Click here to get local office locations and
numbers: Local L&I Office Location