[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 29, Volume 8]
[Revised as of July 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 29CFR1926.651]
[Page 368-370]
TITLE 29--LABOR
CHAPTER XVII--OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT
OF LABOR
PART 1926_SAFETY AND HEALTH REGULATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION--Table of Contents
Subpart P_Excavations
Sec. 1926.651 Specific excavation requirements.
(a) Surface encumbrances. All surface encumbrances that are located
so as to create a hazard to employees shall be removed or supported, as
necessary, to safeguard employees.
(b) Underground installations. (1) The estimated location of utility
installations, such as sewer, telephone, fuel, electric, water lines, or
any other underground installations that reasonably may be expected to
be encountered during excavation work, shall be determined prior to
opening an excavation.
(2) Utility companies or owners shall be contacted within
established or customary local response times, advised of the proposed
work, and asked to establish the location of the utility underground
installations prior to the start of actual excavation. When utility
companies or owners cannot respond to a request to locate underground
utility installations within 24 hours (unless a longer period is
required by state or local law), or cannot establish the exact location
of these installations, the employer may proceed, provided the employer
does so with caution, and provided detection equipment or other
acceptable means to locate utility installations are used.
(3) When excavation operations approach the estimated location of
underground installations, the exact location of the installations shall
be determined by safe and acceptable means.
(4) While the excavation is open, underground installations shall be
protected, supported or removed as necessary to safeguard employees.
(c) Access and egress--(1) Structural ramps. (i) Structural ramps
that are 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 competent
person qualified in structural design, and shall be constructed in
accordance with the design.
(ii) Ramps and runways constructed of two or more structural members
shall have the structural members connected together to prevent
displacement.
(iii) Structural members used for ramps and runways shall be of
uniform thickness.
(iv) 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.
(v) Structural ramps used in lieu of steps shall be provided with
cleats or other surface treatments on the top surface to prevent
slipping.
(2) Means of egress from trench excavations. A stairway, ladder,
ramp or other safe means of egress shall be located in trench
excavations that are 4 feet (1.22 m) or more in depth so as to require
no more than 25 feet (7.62 m) of lateral travel for employees.
(d) Exposure to vehicular traffic. Employees exposed to public
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.
(e) 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 are equipped, in accordance with Sec. 1926.601(b)(6),
to provide adequate protection for the operator during loading and
unloading operations.
[[Page 369]]
(f) Warning system for mobile equipment. When mobile equipment is
operated adjacent to an excavation, or when such equipment is required
to approach the edge of an excavation, and the operator does not have a
clear and direct view of the edge of the excavation, a warning system
shall be utilized such as barricades, hand or mechanical signals, or
stop logs. If possible, the grade should be away from the excavation.
(g) Hazardous atmospheres--(1) Testing and controls. In addition to
the requirements set forth in subparts D and E of this part (29 CFR
1926.50-1926.107) to prevent exposure to harmful levels of atmospheric
contaminants and to assure acceptable atmospheric conditions, the
following requirements shall apply:
(i) Where oxygen deficiency (atmospheres containing less than 19.5
percent oxygen) or a hazardous atmosphere exists or could reasonably be
expected to exist, such as in excavations in landfill areas or
excavations in areas where hazardous substances are stored nearby, the
atmospheres in the excavation shall be tested before employees enter
excavations greater than 4 feet (1.22 m) in depth.
(ii) 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 ventilation in accordance with subparts D and
E of this part respectively.
(iii) Adequate precaution shall be taken such as providing
ventilation, to prevent employee exposure to an atmosphere containing a
concentration of a flammable gas in excess of 20 percent of the lower
flammable limit of the gas.
(iv) When controls are used that are intended to reduce the level of
atmospheric contaminants to acceptable levels, testing shall be
conducted as often as necessary to ensure that the atmosphere remains
safe.
(2) Emergency rescue equipment. (i) Emergency rescue equipment, such
as breathing apparatus, a safety harness and line, or a basket
stretcher, shall be readily available where hazardous atmospheric
conditions exist or may reasonably be expected to develop during work in
an excavation. This equipment shall be attended when in use.
(ii) Employees entering bell-bottom pier holes, or other similar
deep and confined footing excavations, shall wear a harness with a life-
line 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.
(h) Protection from hazards associated with water accumulation. (1)
Employees shall not work in excavations in which there is accumulated
water, or in excavations in which water is accumulating, unless adequate
precautions have been taken to protect employees against the hazards
posed by water accumulation. The precautions necessary to protect
employees adequately vary with each situation, but could include special
support or shield systems to protect from cave-ins, water removal to
control the level of accumulating water, or use of a safety harness and
lifeline.
(2) If water is controlled or prevented from accumulating by the use
of water removal equipment, the water removal equipment and operations
shall be monitored by a competent person to ensure proper operation.
(3) 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 and to provide adequate drainage of the area adjacent to the
excavation. Excavations subject to runoff from heavy rains will require
an inspection by a competent person and compliance with paragraphs
(h)(1) and (h)(2) of this section.
(i) Stability of adjacent structures. (1) Where the stability of
adjoining buildings, walls, or other structures is endangered by
excavation operations, support systems such as shoring, bracing, or
underpinning shall be provided to ensure the stability of such
structures for the protection of employees.
(2) Excavation below the level of the base or footing of any
foundation or retaining wall that could be reasonably
[[Page 370]]
expected to pose a hazard to employees shall not be permitted except
when:
(i) A support system, such as underpinning, is provided to ensure
the safety of employees and the stability of the structure; or
(ii) The excavation is in stable rock; or
(iii) A registered professional engineer has approved the
determination that the structure is sufficently removed from the
excavation so as to be unaffected by the excavation activity; or
(iv) A registered professional engineer has approved the
determination that such excavation work will not pose a hazard to
employees.
(3) Sidewalks, pavements, and appurtenant structure shall not be
undermined unless a support system or another method of protection is
provided to protect employees from the possible collapse of such
structures.
(j) Protection of employees from loose rock or soil. (1) 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 at intervals as necessary on the
face to stop and contain falling material; or other means that provide
equivalent protection.
(2) Employees shall be protected from excavated or other materials
or equipment that could pose a hazard by falling or rolling into
excavations. Protection shall be provided by placing and keeping such
materials or equipment at least 2 feet (.61 m) from the edge of
excavations, or by the use of retaining devices that are sufficient to
prevent materials or equipment from falling or rolling into excavations,
or by a combination of both if necessary.
(k) Inspections. (1) Daily inspections of excavations, the adjacent
areas, and protective systems shall be made by a competent person for
evidence of a situation that could result in possible cave-ins,
indications of failure of protective systems, hazardous atmospheres, or
other hazardous conditions. An inspection shall be conducted by the
competent person 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
employee exposure can be reasonably anticipated.
(2) Where the competent person finds evidence of a situation that
could result in a possible cave-in, indications of failure of protective
systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions, exposed
employees shall be removed from the hazardous area until the necessary
precautions have been taken to ensure their safety.
(l) Walkways shall be provided where employees or equipment are
required or permitted to cross over excavations. Guardrails which comply
with Sec. 1926.502(b) shall be provided where walkways are 6 feet (1.8
m) or more above lower levels.
[54 FR 45959, Oct. 31, 1989, as amended by 59 FR 40730, Aug. 9, 1994]
