Excavation safety

Excavations shall have at least one ladder per 15 m of length in case of hazardous work and per 30 m of length in case of less hazardous works. Every part of a trench, in public areas, fences, guards or barricades shall be provided to prevent any accidents. Excavation areas shall be adequately lighted for night work.

Any trench greater than 4 feet must have a ladder for exit and egress. Remember that the ladder must extend at least 3 feet out of the trench in order to allow for easy access. Don't forget to keep all spoil piles at least 2 feet back from the excavation or trench.

Protective systems for trench safety include sloping, shoring, shielding, and benching. They are used when soil conditions and the depth of the trench present a hazard to workers. Although only required for excavations deeper than five feet, it's a best practice to provide some form of stabilization in all trenches.