Keep Workers Safe While Trench Shoring

By Steven Settelmayer
Published On: Monday, April 27, 2015 7:58 PM

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Excavation and trenching is hazardous, so it is always important to practice safety. Without

the proper precautions, workers can be badly hurt or even die due to dangerous exposures
such as cave-ins, slipping and falling, structural failure and hazardous gases.
The following tips identify important elements to keep workers safe while trench shoring.

COMPETENT PERSON
When inspecting a jobsite to determine where trenches will be, it is important to consider
the many factors that come into play to provide the safest environment. Soil type, presence
of ground water in the trench, surface encumbrances, location of existing structures and
utilities (both underground and overhead) are but a few of the many things that must be
taken into account to ensure worker safety. Per OSHA, it is also required to have a
competent person, who is an individual responsible for monitoring worker safety on a
jobsite. This person is required to be on all trench or excavation sites anytime there is
potential employee exposure.

A competent person must be experienced in underground construction and trained in OSHA

Subpart P. This requires attending an in-depth class that covers the trench and excavation
standard, the intent and specifics of soil classification, and the specific characteristics and
applications of how each of the systems work. This comprehensive class also should train
employees on the potential risks on jobsites along with the responsibilities of the competent
person. These risks include surface encumbrances, existing utilities, access and egress,
exposure to vehicle hazards, falling loads, water accumulation, hazardous atmospheres,
stability of adjacent structures, protection from loose soil or rocks, fall protection and
required inspections.

SOIL TYPES
A trench or excavation must have a protective system 5 feet or more in depth. Excavations
less than 5 feet deep may still require a protective system if there is potential for cave-in.
This call is the responsibility of the competent person. OSHA rules specify that a competent
person on a jobsite will classify the soil type as Stable Rock, Type A, Type B or Type C in
accordance with the definitions in 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P Appendix A. The competent
person will classify the soil based on a visual and a manual test prescribed in Appendix A. It
is also permissible to assume the soil is Type C and soil testing would not be required.
When working in Type B soil, the protective systems minimum earthen slope is 1 horizontal
to 1 vertical (45 degrees). The vertical height of benches in Type B soil cannot exceed
4 feet. When working in Type C soil, the protective systems minimum earthen slope is 1.5
horizontal to 1 vertical (34 degrees). The competent person is required to perform a daily
inspection before prior to work and after each rainstorm or other hazard increasing
occurrence.

Type A:
o

clay, silty clay and hardpan, which resist penetration. No soil is classified as Type A if it
is fissured, subject to vibration, was previously disturbed, is part of a sloped or layered
system with a slope 4 horizontal to 1 vertical or greater or is seeping water.

Type B:
o

cohesive soil with an unconfined compressive strength greater than 0.5 tons per
square foot (TSF), but less than 1.5 TSF;

granular cohesionless soils, including angular gravel (similar to crushed rock), silt, silt
loam, sandy loam and, in some cases, silty clay loam and sandy clay loam;

previously disturbed soils, except those that would otherwise be classed as Type C
soil; and

soil that meets the unconfined compressive strength or cementation requirements for
Type A, but is fissured or subject to vibration.

dry rock that is not stable.

Type C:
o

soft cohesive soil with unconfined compression strength greater than 0.2 tons per
square foot, but less than 0.5 tons per square foot;

soft cohesive soil with unconfined compression strength less than 0.2 tons per square
foot;

clay, sand and loamy sand;

saturated soil that is stable, dry sand or dewatered soil;

fractured rock that is not stable; and

submerged sand and loamy sand that is flowing.

SELECTING A PROTECTIVE SYSTEM

Sloping, shoring and trench shields are the three recognized types of protective systems.
The decision on which one to use depends on the length, width and depth of the trench or
pit and the lifting capability of onsite equipment. There are also several types of shoring
systems, including timber, aluminum hydraulic shoring, beam and plate, soldier pile and
lagging, tight sheeting and slide rail systems. Several types of trench shields, in varying
heights, lengths and widths, are made of either aluminum or steel sidewalls. In some cases
a site-specific engineered trench safety plan may be the best option and cost-effective
solution for the job.
Soil is dynamic and, when opened for a pit or trench, can be dangerous. To keep workers
safe, OSHA requires a competent person be on the jobsite to continuously monitor site
conditions. There should be no short cuts when working in and around trenches or open pits
as lives are in the balance. It is always best to consult with an experienced trench safety
equipment supplier to determine which protective system will be best for the job.