Excavation
Any earthworks operation involving the removal of material from the ground including trenches, shafts, cuttings and bored holes. Excavations must be inspected and supported to prevent collapse.
By jurisdiction
UK HSE
“excavation”Close equivalentCDM 2015 and the Work at Height Regulations 2005 address excavation risks. HSE guidance requires excavations to be inspected before work begins and at the start of each working day. Excavations deeper than 1.2 metres should be supported, batted back, or fenced.
Irish HSA
“excavation”Close equivalentThe Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013 (SI 2013/291) require that before any excavation begins, the stability must be assessed and support or battering provided where necessary.
US OSHA
“excavation”Close equivalent“OSHA 29 CFR 1926 subpart P defines excavation as any man-made cut, cavity, trench or depression in earth surface. Protective systems (sloping, shoring, or shielding) must be used in excavations 5 feet or deeper where hazardous conditions exist.”
Practitioner note: Inspect before each shift. Ground conditions change with weather and vibration, so yesterday's safe face is not evidence about today's.