Trench Box Safety Checklist

Daily worksite checklist for trenching excavation sites.

Trench box safety checklist.

Excavation and trenching are among the most hazardous construction operations. A trench is defined as a narrow underground excavation that is deeper than it is wide and is no wider than 15 feet 4 5 meters. Trenching and excavation safety 1 introduction excavation and trenching are among the most hazardous construction operations. Trench boxes must extend eighteen inches above the surface and be no more than two feet from the bottom of the trench.

Excavation checklists are an essential tool used during pre operations to evaluate the jobsite utilities and equipment access means area atmosphere and support systems to identify problems before they occur. The occupational safety and health administration s osha excavation standards 29 code. The occupational safety and health administration requires that a trench box must be used for all trenching or excavations five feet or greater in depth. A safety checklist may prove helpful when employers.

Osha defines an excavation as any man made cut cavity trench or depression in the earth s surface formed by earth removal. Under that circumstance the trench box must extend 18 inches above the vertical part of the excavation walls to keep dirt rocks and other debris from rolling into the trench. All employees at worksite trained in trenching safety procedures. Surface encumbrances such as utility poles heavy equipment supported or removed.