Trenching and Shoring Safety

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Learning Objectives

Trenching and shoring is recognized as one of the most dangerous types of construction work. Every year over 1,000 preventable deaths occur in trenching and excavation-related accidents in the United States. CONN-OSHA standards are designed to prevent accidents from soil cave-ins, the leading cause of accidental death in excavation work.

Other hazards include working with heavy machinery; manual handling of materials; working in close proximity to traffic; electrical hazards from overhead and underground power-lines; and underground utilities, such as natural gas.

Topics covered in this training and education program are:

• Site hazard risk assessment.
• Notification—Call before you dig.
• Emergency planning.
• Guarding protection with barriers.
• Trench boxes.
• Shields.
• Shoring.
• Benching and sloping.
• Inspections for safety hazards.
• Soil types identification.
• Air quality tests.
• Fall protection and personal protective equipment requirements.
• Site audits.
• Recordkeeping.

Audience

This training and education program is designed for:

• Risk managers
• Public Works directors, supervisors, and employees
• Highway supervisors and employees
• Police

"Soil stability, soil type, changes in weather, and unshored trench walls all can contribute to trench cave-ins."

National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health