01MANDATORY
Locate Underground Services
- ✓Locate existing underground services before excavation.
- ✓Verify required permits and drawings.
- ✓Use controlled excavation methods in uncertain areas.
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SafeBase
Health and Safety Resources
Excavation Critical Safety Rules
LOCATE SERVICES • PROTECT THE EXCAVATION • PROVIDE SAFE ACCESS • INSPECT DAILY
OSHA 29 CFR 1926EN 361 • EN 365 • EN 795ISO 45001 Framework
Document
SB-EXC-001
Revision 1.0
Scan
Checklists, toolbox talks and professional guides
✓
30 SEC CHECKSafeBase Pre-Job Control
Check Before Starting
✓Work Permit
✓Risk Assessment
✓Toolbox Talk
✓Rescue Plan
✓Weather
✓PPE Check
✓Area Isolation
02MANDATORY
Competent-Person Inspection
- ✓Inspect the excavation before work starts.
- ✓Reinspect after rain, vibration or changing conditions.
- ✓Do not permit entry when hazardous conditions exist.
03MANDATORY
Protect Against Cave-In
- ✓Use protection appropriate to soil conditions and depth.
- ✓Apply sloping, shoring or shielding as designed.
- ✓Do not work outside the protective system.
04MANDATORY
Control Spoil Piles
- ✓Keep excavated material a safe distance from the edge.
- ✓Prevent material from falling back into the excavation.
- ✓Keep equipment loads away from excavation edges.
05MANDATORY
Provide Safe Access
- ✓Provide a ladder, ramp or safe means of access where required.
- ✓Position access close to the work location.
- ✓Do not use damaged access equipment.
06MANDATORY
Control Water Accumulation
- ✓Do not enter excavations with uncontrolled water accumulation.
- ✓Use pumping and drainage methods safely.
- ✓Reassess conditions after rainfall.
07MANDATORY
Protect Edges and Traffic
- ✓Barricade excavations exposed to vehicle or pedestrian traffic.
- ✓Use stop blocks or warning systems where required.
- ✓Maintain visibility during night work.
08MANDATORY
Assess Atmospheric Hazards
- ✓Test where a hazardous atmosphere could reasonably exist.
- ✓Provide ventilation and rescue controls when required.
- ✓Evacuate the excavation if alarms or hazardous conditions occur.
Critical Stop Criteria
🛑 Stop Work Now
×
NEVER ENTER AN UNPROTECTED CAVE-IN HAZARD
×
NEVER EXCAVATE BEFORE VERIFYING UNDERGROUND SERVICES
×
NEVER LEAVE UNCONTROLLED MATERIAL AT THE EDGE
×
NEVER ENTER USING UNSAFE ACCESS
×
NEVER WORK IN A HAZARDOUS EXCAVATION WITHOUT COMPETENT-PERSON APPROVAL
Technical Control
Critical Values
4 ft
Safe-access threshold
2 ft
Minimum spoil setback
5 ft
Protective-system threshold*
DAILY
Competent-person inspection
Reference
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.651 / 1926.652
OSHA 1926 Subpart P
Personal Protective Equipment
Required PPE
⛑️
Safety Helmet
EN 397
🥽
Safety Glasses
EN 166
🧤
Work Gloves
EN 388
🥾
Safety Footwear
ISO 20345
🦺
High-Visibility Vest
EN 361
Engineering controls first, personal protection second.