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Excavation and Trenching Safety Program - Project Manager's Manual PDF Version
 

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These materials were produced by the Division of Safety, Florida Department of Labor and Employment Security, as part of a special OSHA program to reduce work-related deaths in construction in California, Florida, and Texas. Because Florida's funding for the program - CARE, or Construction Accident Reduction Emphasis - ended in June 2000, the materials will not be updated. The materials should be reviewed yearly for any needed changes.

PREFACE

Environmental Health and Safety Services (EHSS) developed this excavation and trenching safety program to protect employees from safety hazards that may be encountered during work in trenches and excavations. This program is intended to assure that:

  • Department that perform work in excavations are aware of their responsibilities and have appointed one or more individuals within the department (the Project Manager) to assure compliance with the requirements of this program;
  • The responsibilities of the departmental Project Manager and workers are clearly detailed; and,
  • All persons involved in excavation and trenching work have received appropriate training in the safe work practices that must be followed during this work.
This program includes provisions for employee training, hazard identification and control, and work practices that must be followed while constructing or working in or around an excavation or trench. The designated departmental Project Manager is required to assure that:
  • The procedures described in this program are followed;
  • Employees entering excavations or trenches are properly trained and equipped to perform their duties safely; and,
  • All required inspections, tests, and recordkeeping functions have been performed.
Index

SECTION PAGE TITLE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Who Should Participate
1.2 Safety Coordinator
   
2.0 DEFINITIONS
   
3.0 PROGRAM ELEMENTS
3.1 Training and Duties of Program Participants
3.2 Training and Duties of Workers
3.3 Training and Duties of the Project Manager
3.4 Contractor Awareness, Duties and Responsibilities
   
4.0 SPECIFIC EXCAVATION REQUIREMENTS
4.1 Utilities and Pre-Work Site Inspection
4.2 Protection of The Public
4.3 Protection of Workers in Excavations
4.4 Inspection by the Project Manager
   
5.0 REQUIREMENTS FOR PROTECTIVE SYSTEMS
5.1 Protection of Employees in Excavations
5.2 Design of Sloping and Benching Systems
5.3 Design of Support Systems, Shield Systems, and Other Protective
5.4 Materials and Equipment
5.5 Installation and Removal of Support
5.6 Sloping and Benching Systems
5.7 Shield Systems

1.0 INTRODUCTION TO THE EXCAVATION AND TRENCHING SAFETY PROGRAM
    The purpose of the Excavation and Trenching Safety Program is to put in place work practices and procedures that will protect employees from hazards that may be found in or around excavations or trenches. This objective is met by:

        Requiring each department that performs work in excavations to name one or more persons to serve as the departmental Project Manager.

    1. Training Project Managers so they understand their duties and responsibilities.
    2. Requiring that each Project Manager assure that all persons working in excavations have been provided adequate training as required by this program.
    3. This program has been designed to comply with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P.
1.1 Who Should Participate
    • All departments that work in or around excavations must comply with the requirements of this program.

    1. Other key participants include:

      • Workers who work in or around excavations;

      1. Contractor’s personnel, since the work that a Contractor performs can directly affect the safety of persons working in or around excavations.
1.2 Safety Coordinator
    • The Excavation and Trenching Safety Program is administered by the Occupational Safety Programs division of Environmental Health and Safety Services (EHSS). EHSS will:

      • Monitor the overall effectiveness of the program;

        1. Assist with atmospheric testing and equipment selection as needed;
        2. Provide training for designated Project Managers;
        3. Assist the departmental Project Manager with training of other departmental employees;
        4. Provide technical assistance to the departments as needed; and,
        5. Review and update the program on an annual basis as necessary.
2.0 DEFINITIONS

Accepted engineering practices means the standards of practice required by a registered professional engineer.

Aluminum Hydraulic Shoring means a manufactured shoring system consisting of aluminum hydraulic cylinders (crossbraces) used with vertical rails (uprights) or horizontal rails (wales). Such system is designed to support the sidewalls of an excavation and prevent cave-ins. See Figure 2.0.

Bell-bottom pier hole means a type of shaft or footing excavation, the bottom of which is made larger than the cross section above to form a belled shape.
figure1.0 Figure 1.0 - Benching System

Benching (Benching system) is a method of protecting employees from cave-ins by excavating the sides of an excavation to form one or more horizontal steps, usually with vertical or near-vertical surfaces between levels.

Cave-in means the movement of soil or rock into an excavation, or the loss of soil from under a trench shield or support system, in amounts large enough to trap, bury, or injure and immobilize a person.

Competent person means one who has been trained to identify hazards in the workplace, or working conditions that are unsafe for employees, and who has the authority to have these hazards corrected. The departmental Project Manager serves as the departmental competent person for the purposes of this program. The Project Manager will conduct all required tests and inspections as detailed in this program, and ensure that employees working in excavations have been trained and are following the requirements of this program.

Cross braces mean the horizontal members of a shoring system installed from side to side of the excavation. The cross braces bear against either uprights or Wales See Figure 2.0.

Department means a department at the university that conducts work in excavations.

Excavation means any man-made cut, cavity, trench, or depression in an earth surface formed by earth removal.

Faces or sides mean the vertical or inclined earth surfaces formed as a result of excavation work.

Failure means the movement or damage of a structural member or connection that makes it unable to support loads.

Hazardous atmosphere means an atmosphere that is explosive, flammable, poisonous, corrosive, oxidizing, irritating, oxygen deficient, toxic, or otherwise harmful, that may cause death, illness, or injury.

Kickout means the accidental movement or failure of a cross brace.

Project Manager is the individual within the department that will oversee excavation work and that is responsible for assuring compliance with this program.

Protective system means a method of protecting employees from cave-ins, from material that could fall or roll from an excavation face into an excavation, or from the collapse of adjacent structures. Protective systems include support systems, sloping and benching systems, shield systems, and other systems that provide the necessary protection.

Ramp means an inclined walking or working surface that is used to gain access to one point from another. A ramp may be constructed from earth or from structural materials such as steel or wood.

Registered Professional Engineer means a person who is registered as a professional engineer in Virginia.

Safety Coordinator means the individual at Environmental Health and Safety Services (EHSS) responsible for developing and implementing this program, conducting unannounced work site inspections, and ensuring that the departments comply with the program requirements.

Sheeting means the members of a shoring system that retain the earth in position and in turn are supported by other members of the shoring system. See figure 2.0.

Shield (Shield system) means a structure used in an excavation to withstand cave-ins and which will protect employees working within the shield system. Shields can be permanent structures or portable units moved along as work progresses. Shields used in trenches are usually referred to as "trench boxes" or "trench shields."

Shoring (Shoring system) means a structure that is built or put in place to support the sides of an excavation to prevent cave-ins.

Sides. See "Faces."

Sloping (Sloping system) means sloping the sides of the excavation away from the excavation to protect employees from cave-ins. The required slope will vary with soil type, weather, and surface or near surface loads that may affect the soil in the area of the trench (such as adjacent buildings, vehicles near the edge of the trench and so forth).

Stable rock means natural solid mineral material that can be excavated with vertical sides that will remain intact while exposed.

Structural ramp means a ramp built of steel or wood, usually used for vehicle access. Ramps made of soil or rock are not considered structural ramps.

Support system means a structure such as underpinning, bracing, or shoring, which provides support to an adjacent structure, underground installation, or the sides of an excavation.

Tabulated data means tables and charts approved by a registered professional engineer and used to design and construct a protective system.

Trench (Trench excavation) means a narrow excavation (in relation to its length) made below the surface of the ground.

Trench box or shield. See "Shield".

Uprights mean the vertical members of a trench shoring system placed in contact with the earth and usually positioned so that individual members do not contact each other. Uprights placed so that individual members are closely spaced, in contact with or interconnected to each other, are often called "sheeting."

Wales are horizontal members of a shoring system placed in the direction of the excavation face whose sides bear against the vertical members of the shoring system or earth (the uprights or sheeting).

3.0 PROGRAM ELEMENTS

3.1 Training and Duties of Program Participants
  • All personnel involved in trenching or excavation work shall be trained in the requirements of this program. Departmental personnel shall be trained by the departmental Project Manager with assistance from the Safety Coordinator at EHSS.

  1. Training shall be performed before the employee is assigned duties in excavations.
  2. Retraining will be performed whenever work site inspections conducted by the Project Manager or EHSS indicate that an employee does not have the necessary knowledge or skills to safely work in or around excavations.
  3. Training records will be maintained by the Project Manager and will be copied to the Safety Coordinator at EHSS. These records shall include the date(s) of the training program, the instructor(s) of the training program, a copy of the written material presented, and the names of the employee(s) to whom the training was given.
3.2 Training and Duties of Workers

All personnel that perform work in excavations shall comply with the requirements of this program. These personnel shall receive appropriate training that shall include, at a minimum:
  • The work practices that must be followed during excavating or working in excavations;

    1. The use of personal protective equipment that will typically be required during work in excavations, including but not limited to safety shoes, hard-hats, and fall protective devices;
    2. Procedures to be followed if a hazardous atmosphere exists or could reasonably be expected to develop during work in an excavation; and,
    3. Emergency and non-entry rescue methods, and procedure for calling rescue services.
3.3 Training and Duties of the Project Manager

The Project Manager shall receive the training detailed above and shall, in addition, receive training on the requirements detailed in Section 4.0 and 5.0, and Appendices A through D of this program. The Project Manager shall:
    A.Coordinate and actively participate in the training of departmental employees. A copy of the training records shall be maintained by the Project Manager, and shall be copied to EHSS;
    B.Ensure on a daily basis, or more often as detailed in this program, that work site conditions are safe for employees to work in excavations;
    C.Determine the means of protection (sloping back the sides of the excavation, use of trench shields, or shoring) that will be used for each excavation project; and,
    D.Ensure, if required, that the design of a protective system has been completed and approved by a Registered Professional Engineer before work is begun in the excavation.
3.4 Contractor Awareness, Duties and Responsibilities
    A.A Contractor that is performing excavation work on university property shall coordinate trenching and excavation work with the Project Manager to assure the coordination of the work and shutdown of utilities if necessary.
    B.Additional information is included in Virginia Tech’s Safety Guide for Contractors and Subcontractors
4.0 SPECIFIC EXCAVATION REQUIREMENTS

4.1 Utilities and Pre-work Site Inspection. Prior to excavation the site shall be thoroughly inspected by the Project Manager to determine if special safety measures must be taken.

Surface encumbrances. All equipment, materials, supplies, permanent installations (for example, buildings or roadways), trees, brush, boulders and other objects at the surface that could present a hazard to employees working in the excavation shall be removed or supported as necessary to protect employees.

Underground installations.
    The location of sewers, telephone, fuel, electric, water lines, or any other underground installations that may be encountered during excavation work shall be determined and marked prior to opening an excavation. Arrangements shall be made as necessary by the Project Manager with the appropriate utility agency for the protection, removal, shutdown, or relocation
    of underground installations.

    If it is not possible to establish the exact location of these installations, the work may proceed with caution if detection equipment or other safe and acceptable means are used to locate the utility.

    Excavation shall be done in a manner that does not endanger the underground installations or the employees engaged in the work. Utilities left in place shall be protected by barricades, shoring, suspension or other means as necessary to protect employees.
4.2 Protection of the Public: Barricades, walkways, lighting and posting shall be provided as necessary for the protection of the public prior to the start of excavation operations.

Guardrails, fences, or barricades shall be provided on excavations adjacent to walkways, driveways and other pedestrian or vehicle thoroughfares. Warning lights or other illumination shall be maintained as necessary for the safety of the public and employees from sunset to sunrise.

Wells, holes, pits, shafts and all similar hazardous excavations shall be effectively barricaded or covered and posted as necessary to prevent unauthorized access. All temporary excavations of this type shall be backfilled as soon as possible.

Walkways or bridges protected by standard guardrails shall be provided where employees and the general public are permitted to cross over excavations. Where workers in the excavation may pass under these walkways or bridges, a standard guardrail and toeboard shall be used. Information on the requirements for guardrails and toeboards may be obtained by contacting EHSS.

4.3 Protection of Workers in Excavations

Access and means of egress. Stairs, ladders or ramps shall be provided where employees are required to enter trench excavations over 4 feet deep. The maximum distance of lateral travel (e.g., along the length of the trench) required to reach the means of egress shall not exceed 25 feet.

Structural ramps.
    Structural ramps used solely by employees as a means of access or egress from excavations shall be designed by a competent person. Structural ramps used for access or egress of equipment shall be designed by a person qualified in structural design, and shall be constructed in accordance with the design.

    Ramps and runways constructed of two or more structural members shall have the structural members connected together to prevent movement or displacement.

    Structural members used for ramps and runways shall be of uniform thickness.

    Cleats or other appropriate means used to connect runway structural members shall be attached to the bottom of the runway or shall be attached in a manner to prevent tripping.

    Structural ramps used in place of steps shall be provided with cleats or other surface treatments on the top surface to prevent slipping.
Ladders.
    When portable ladders are used, the ladder side rails shall extend a minimum of 3 feet above the upper surface of the excavation (see Figure 3.0).

    Ladders shall have nonconductive side rails if work will be performed near exposed energized equipment or systems.

    Two or more ladders, or a double-cleated ladder, will be provided where 25 or more employees will be conducting work in an excavation where ladders serve as the primary means of egress, or where ladders serve two-way traffic.

    Ladders will be inspected prior to use for signs of damage or defects. Damaged ladders will be removed from service and marked with "Do Not Use" until repaired.
    figure 3.0 Figure 3.0 - Ladder Safety

    Ladders shall be used only on stable and level surfaces unless secured. Ladders placed in any location where they can be displaced by workplace activities or traffic shall be secured, or barricades shall be used to keep these activities away from the ladder.

    Non-self-supporting ladders shall be positioned so that the foot of the ladder is one-quarter of the working length away from the support (see Figure 3.0).

    Employees shall not be allowed to carry any object or load while on the ladder that could cause them to lose their balance and fall.
Exposure to vehicular traffic. Employees exposed to vehicular traffic shall be provided with, and shall wear, warning vests or other suitable garments marked with or made of reflectorized or high-visibility material. Warning vests worn by flagmen shall be red or orange, and shall be of reflectorized material if worn during night work.

Employee exposure to falling loads. No employee shall be permitted underneath loads handled by lifting or digging equipment. Employees shall be required to stand away from any vehicle being loaded or unloaded to avoid being struck by any spillage or falling materials. Operators may remain in the cabs of vehicles being loaded or unloaded when the vehicles provide adequate protection for the operator during loading and unloading operations.

Warning system for mobile equipment. A warning system shall be used when mobile equipment is operated adjacent to the edge of an excavation if the operator does not have a clear and direct view of the edge of the excavation.The warning system shall consist of barricades, hand or mechanical signals, or stop logs. If possible, the grade should be away from the excavation.

Hazardous atmospheres. The Project Manager will test the atmosphere in excavations over 4 feet deep if a hazardous atmosphere exists or could reasonably be expected to exist. A hazardous atmosphere could be expected, for example, in excavations in landfill areas, in excavations in areas where hazardous substances are stored nearby, or in excavations near or containing gas pipelines.
    Adequate precautions shall be taken to prevent employee exposure to atmospheres containing less than 19.5 percent oxygen and other hazardous atmospheres. These precautions include providing proper respiratory protection or forced ventilation of the workspace. Technical assistance on these precautions may be obtained by contacting EHSS.

    Forced ventilation or other effective means shall be used to prevent employee exposure to an atmosphere containing a flammable gas in excess of 10 percent of the lower flammability limit of the gas.

    2When controls are used that are intended to reduce the level of atmospheric contaminants to acceptable levels, continuous air monitoring will be performed by the Project Manager. The device used for atmospheric monitoring shall be equipped with an audible and visual alarm.

    3Atmospheric testing will be performed using a properly calibrated direct reading gas monitor. Direct reading gas detector tubes or other acceptable means may also be used to test potentially toxic atmospheres.

    4Each atmospheric testing instrument shall be calibrated on a schedule and in the manner recommended by the manufacturer except:

      0Any atmospheric testing instrument that has not been used within thirty (30) days shall be recalibrated by the Department prior to use.

      1Each atmospheric testing instrument shall be calibrated at least every six (6) months by the Department.

      2Copies of calibration records will be forwarded to EHSS.


    Each atmospheric testing instrument will be field checked immediately prior to use to ensure that it is operating properly.
Personal protective equipment.
    All employees working in trenches or excavations shall wear approved hard-hats and steel toed shoes or boots.

    Employees exposed to flying fragments, dust, or other materials produced by drilling, sawing, sanding, grinding and similar operations shall wear approved safety glasses with side shields.

    Employees exposed to hazards produced by, or performing, welding, cutting, or brazing operations shall wear, as determined by the Project Manager, approved spectacles or a welding faceshield or helmet.

    Employees entering bell-bottom pier holes or other similar deep and confined footing excavations shall wear a harness with a lifeline securely attached to it. The lifeline shall be separate from any line used to handle materials and shall be individually attended at all times while the employee wearing the lifeline is in the excavation.

    Employees shall wear, as determined by the Project Manager, approved gloves or other suitable hand protection.

    Employees using, or working in the immediate vicinity of, hammer drills, masonry saws, jackhammers or similar high noise producing equipment shall wear suitable hearing protection.

    Each employee at the edge of an excavation 6 feet or more deep shall be protected from falling. Fall protection shall be provided by guardrail systems, fences, barricades, covers, or a tie-back system meeting the requirements of the Virginia Tech Fall Protection Program.

    Emergency rescue equipment, such as breathing apparatus, a safety harness and line, and a basket stretcher shall be readily available where hazardous atmospheric conditions exist or may develop during work in an excavation. This equipment shall be attended when in use. Only personnel that have received approved training and have appropriate equipment shall attempt retrieval that would require entry into a hazardous atmosphere. If entry into a known hazardous atmosphere must be performed, then EHSS shall be given advance notice so that the hazards can be evaluated and rescue personnel placed on standby if necessary.
Walkways and guardrails. Walkways shall be provided where employees or equipment are permitted to cross over excavations. Guardrails shall be provided where walkways, accessible only to on-site project personnel, are 6 feet or more above lower levels.

Protection from hazards associated with water accumulation.
    Employees shall not work in excavations that contain or are accumulating water unless precautions have been taken to protect employees against the hazards posed by water accumulation. The precautions taken could include, for example, special support or shield systems to protect from cave-ins, water removal to control the level of accumulating water, or use of safety harnesses and lifelines.

    If water is controlled or prevented from accumulating by the use of water removal equipment, the water removal equipment andoperation shall be monitored by a person trained in the use of the equipment.

    If excavation work interrupts the natural drainage of surface water (such as streams), diversion ditches, dikes, or other suitable means shall be used to prevent surface water from entering the excavation. Precautions shall also be taken to provide adequate drainage of the area adjacent to the excavation. Excavations subject to runoff from heavy rains shall be reinspected by the Project Manager to determine if precautions detailed in section 4.3(G)(1) and/or 4.3(G)(2) should be taken.

    The Project Manager shall inform workers of the precautions or procedures that are to be followed if water accumulates or is accumulating in an excavation.
Stability of adjacent structures. The Project Manager will determine if the excavation work could affect the stability of adjoining buildings, walls, sidewalks or other structures.
    Support systems (such as shoring, bracing, or underpinning) shall be used to assure the stability of structures and the protection of employees where excavation operations could affect the stability of adjoining buildings, walls, or other structures.

    Excavation below the level of the base or footing of any foundation or retaining wall that could be reasonably expected to pose a hazard to employees shall not be permitted except when: A support system, such as underpinning, is provided to ensure the safety of employees and the stability of the structure; or

    The excavation is in stable rock; or

    A registered professional engineer has approved the determination that the structure is sufficiently removed from the excavation so as to be unaffected by the excavation activity; or

    A registered professional engineer has approved the determination that such excavation work will not pose a hazard to employees.

    Sidewalks, pavements and appurtenant structure shall not be undermined unless a support system or other method of protection is provided to protect employees from the possible
    collapse of such structures.

    Where review or approval of a support system by a registered professional engineer is required, the Department shall secure this review and approval in writing before the work is
    begun. A copy of this approval shall be provided to EHSS.
Protection of employees from falling objects and loose rocks or soil.
    Adequate protection shall be provided to protect employees from loose rock or soil that could pose a hazard by falling or rolling from an excavation face. Such protection shall consist of:

      Scaling to remove loose material;

      Installation of protective barricades, such as wire mesh or timber, at appropriate intervals on the face of the slope to stop and contain falling material; or

      Benching sufficient to contain falling material.

    Excavation personnel shall not be permitted to work above one another where the danger of falling rock or earth exists.

    Employees shall be protected from excavated materials, equipment or other materials that could pose a hazard by falling or rolling into excavations.

      Protection shall be provided by keeping such materials or equipment at least 2 feet from the edge of excavations, by the use of restraining devices that are sufficient to prevent materials or equipment from falling or rolling into excavations, or by a combination of both if necessary.

      Materials and equipment may, as determined by the Project Manager, need to be stored further than 2 feet from the edge of the excavation if a hazardous loading condition is created on the face of the excavation.

      Materials piled, grouped or stacked near the edge of an excavation must be stable and self-supporting.
4.4 Inspection by the Project Manager
    The departmental Project Manager shall conduct daily inspections of excavations, adjacent areas, and protective systems for evidence of a situation that could result in possible cave-ins, failure of protective systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions. An inspection shall be conducted by the Project Manager prior to the start of work and as needed throughout the shift. Inspections shall also be made after every rainstorm or other hazard increasing
    occurrence. These inspections are only required when the trench will be or is occupied by employees.

    Where the competent person finds evidence of a situation that could result in a possible cave-in, failure of protective systems, hazardous atmosphere, or other hazardous conditions, exposed employees shall be removed from the hazardous area until precautions have
    been taken to assure their safety.

    The Project Manager shall maintain a written log of all inspections conducted. This log shall include the date, work site location, results of the inspection, and a summary of any action taken to correct existing hazards.
5.0 REQUIREMENTS FOR PROTECTIVE SYSTEMS.

5.1 Protection of employees in excavations.
    Employees in an excavation shall be protected from cave-ins by using either an adequate sloping and benching system (Section 5.2) or an adequate support or protective system (Section 5.3). The only exceptions are:

      Excavations made entirely in stable rock; or

      Excavations less than 5 feet in depth where examination of the ground by the Project Manager provides no indication of a potential cave-in.

    Protective systems shall be capable of resisting all loads that could
    reasonably be expected to be applied to the system.
5.2 Design of sloping and benching systems. The slope and configuration of sloping and benching systems shall be selected and constructed by the Project Manager in accordance with either Section 5.2 (A), (B), (C) or (D) as follows:
    Option 1 - Allowable configurations and slopes.

      Excavations shall be sloped at an angle not steeper than one and one-half horizontal to one vertical (34 degrees measured from the horizontal), unless the Project Manager uses one of
      the other options listed below.

      The slopes used shall be excavated in accordance with the slopes shown for Type C soil in Appendix B.


    Option 2 - Determination of slopes and configurations using

      Appendix A and B. Maximum allowable slopes, and allowable configurations for sloping and benching systems, shall meet the requirements set forth in appendix A and B.

    Option 3 - Designs using other tabulated data.

    The design of sloping or benching systems may be selected from, and shall be constructed in accordance with, other tabulated data, such as tables and charts. The tabulated data used
    must be in written form and include all of the following: Identification of the factors that affect the selection of a sloping or benching system;

      Identification of the limits of use of the data, including the maximum height and the angle of the slopes determined to be safe;

      Other information needed by the user to make correct selection of a protective system.

    One copy of the tabulated data that identifies the registered professional engineer who approved the data shall be maintained at the jobsite during construction of the protective
    system. After that time the data may be stored off the jobsite, but a copy of the data shall be made available to EHSS upon request.

    Option (4) - Design by a registered professional engineer: Sloping and benching systems not utilizing Option (1), Option (2) or Option (3) under Section 5.2 shall be approved by a registered professional engineer.

      Designs shall be in written form and shall include at least the following:

      The maximum height and angle of the slopes that were determined to be safe for the particular project;

      The identity of the registered professional engineer approving the design.

    At least one copy of the design shall be maintained at the jobsite while the slope is being constructed. After that time the design need not be at the jobsite, but a copy shall be made
    available to EHSS upon request.

5.3 Design of support systems, shield systems, and other protective systems. The design of support systems , shield systems, and other protective systems shall be selected and constructed by the Project Manager in accordance with the requirements of either Section 5.3 (A), (B), (C) or (D) as follows:
    Option (1) - Designs using Appendix A, C and D. Design of timber shoring in trenches shall be made in accordance with the requirements of appendix A and C of this program. Design of aluminum hydraulic shoring shall be in accordance with Section 5.2(B), but if manufacturer’s tabulated data can not be used, then designs shall be in accordance with appendix D.

    Option (2) - Designs using manufacturer’s tabulated data.

      Support systems, shield systems, or other protective systems drawn from manufacturer’s tabulated data shall be constructed and used in accordance with all specifications, recommendations, and limitations issued or made by the manufacturer.

      Deviation from the specifications, recommendations, and limitations issued or made by the manufacturer shall only be allowed after the manufacturer issues specific written approval.

      Manufacturer’s specifications, recommendations, and limitations, and manufacturer’s approval to deviate from the specifications, recommendations, and limitations shall be kept in written form at the jobsite during construction of the protective system. After that time this data may be stored off the jobsite, but a copy shall be made available to EHSS upon request.

    Option (3) - Designs using other tabulated data.

    Designs of support systems, shield systems, or other protective systems shall be selected from and be constructed in accordance with tabulated data, such as tables and charts.

    The tabulated data shall be in written form and include all of the following:

      Identification of the factors that affect the selection of a protective system drawn from such data;

      Identification of the limits of use of the data;

      Information needed by the user to make a correct selection of a protective system from the data.

    At least one copy of the tabulated data, which identifies the registered professional engineer who approved the data, shall be maintained at the jobsite during construction of the protective system. After that time the data may be stored off the jobsite, but a copy of the data shall be made available to EHSS upon request.

    Option (4) - Design by a registered professional engineer.

    Support systems, shield systems, and other protective systems not using the options detailed in sections 5.3(A), (B) or (C) shall be approved by a registered professional engineer.

    Designs shall be in written form and shall include the following:

      A plan indicating the sizes, types, and configurations of the materials to be used in the protective system; and

      The identify of the registered professional engineer approving the design.

    At least one copy of the design shall be maintained at the jobsite during construction of the protective system. After that time, the design may be stored off the jobsite, but a copy of the design shall be made available to EHSS upon request.
5.4 Materials and equipment.
    Materials and equipment used for protective systems shall be free from damage or defects that might affect their proper function.

    Manufactured materials and equipment used for protective systems shall be used and maintained in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer, and in a manner that will prevent employee exposure to hazards.

    When material or equipment used for protective systems are damaged, the Project Manager shall ensure that these systems are examined by a competent person to evaluate its suitability for continued use. If the competent person can not assure the material or equipment is able to support the intended loads or is otherwise suitable for safe use, then such material or equipment shall be removed from service. These materials or equipment shall be evaluated and approved by a registered professional engineer before being returned to service.
5.5 Installation and removal of support

General.
    Members of support systems shall be securely connected together to prevent sliding, falling, kickouts, or other potential hazards.

    Support systems shall be installed and removed in a manner that protects employees from cave-ins, structural collapses, or from being struck by members of the support system.

    Individual members of support systems shall not be subjected to loads exceeding those which those members were designed to support.

    Before temporary removal of individual support members begins, additional precautions shall be taken as directed by the Project Manager to ensure the safety of employees. These precautions could include, for example, the installation other structural members to carry the loads imposed on the support system.

    Removal of support systems shall begin at, and progress from, the bottom of the excavation. Members shall be released slowly. If there is any indication of possible failure of the remaining members of the structure or possible cave-in of the sides of the excavation the work shall be halted until it can be examined by the Project Manager.

    Backfilling shall progress together with the removal of support systems from excavations.
Additional requirements for support systems for trench excavations.
    Excavation of material to a level no greater than 2 feet below the bottom of the members of a support system is allowed, but only if the system is designed to resist the forces calculated for the full depth of the trench. There shall be no indications while the trench is open of a possible loss of soil from behind or below the bottom of the support system.

    Installation of a support system shall be closely coordinated with the excavation of trenches.
5.6 Sloping and benching systems. Employees shall not be permitted to work above other employees on the faces of sloped or benched systems except whe0n employees at the lower levels are protected from the hazard of falling, rolling, or sliding material or equipment.

5.7 Shield systems

General.
    Shield systems shall not be subjected to loads that are greater than those they were designed to withstand.

    Shields shall be installed in a manner that will restrict lateral or other hazardous movement of the shield that could occur during cave-in or unexpected soil movement.

    Employees shall be protected from the hazard of cave-ins when entering or exiting the areas protected by shields.

    Employees shall not be allowed in shields when shields are being installed, removed, or moved vertically.
Additional requirement for shield systems used in trench excavations. Excavation of material to a level no greater than 2 feet below the bottom of the shield system is allowed, but only if the system is designed to resist the forces calculated for the full depth of the trench. There shall be no indications while the trench is open of a possible loss of soil from behind or below the bottom of the shield system.

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