Excavation Safety

COSH Training
 Course Objectives:
At the end of the session, participants should be able
to:
• To be able to list the different hazards related to
excavations
• To illustrate the corrective actions to address the
hazards involved
 Safety requirements in
Excavation:
1. Prior to opening an excavation,
check excavation permit if any.
2. All underground installations (i.e.
sewer, water, fuel, electrical and
communication lines, etc.,) shall
be located and protected from
damaged or displacement.
3. Trees, boulders, stumps,
monuments or other surface
encumbrances located so as to
create hazards at any time during
operations shall be removed
before excavation is started.
SOIL TYPE HEIGHT/DEPTH SLOPE ANGLE
RATIO
Stable Rock Vertical 90 Degrees
Type A ¾:1 53 Degrees
Type B 1:1 45 Degrees
Type C 1½:1 34 Degrees
 Stable rock
• Stable rock
means natural
solid mineral
matter that can be
excavated with
vertical sides and
remain intact
while exposed
 Type A soil
• Cohesive soils with an unconfined, compressive strength
of 1.5 ton per square foot (tsf) (144 kPa) or greater.

• Examples of cohesive soils are: clay, silty clay, sandy clay,

clay loam and, in some cases, silty clay loam and sandy
clay loam. Cemented soils such as caliche and hardpan
are also considered Type A.
 Type A soil
• However, no soil is Type A if:
a) The soil is fissured; or
b) The soil is subject to vibration from heavy traffic, pile
driving, or similar effects; or
c) The soil has been previously disturbed; or
d) The soil is part of a sloped, layered system where the
layers dip into the excavation on a slope of four
horizontal to one vertical (4H:1V) or greater; or
e) The material is subject to other factors that would
require it to be classified as a less stable material.
 Type B soil
• Cohesive soil with an unconfined
compressive strength greater than
0.5 tsf (48 kPa) but less than 1.5 tsf
(144 kPa); or
• Granular cohesion less 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 which would otherwise be
classed as Type C soil.
 Type B Soil
• Soil that meets the unconfined compressive strength
or cementation requirements for Type A, but is
fissured or subject to vibration; or

• Dry rock that is not stable; or

• Material that is part of a sloped, layered system

where the layers dip into the excavation on a slope
less steep than four horizontal to one vertical
(4H:1V), but only if the material would otherwise be
classified as Type B.
 Type C soil

• Cohesive soil with an unconfined

compressive strength of 0.5 tsf (48 kPa)
or less; or

• Granular soils including gravel, sand,

and loamy sand; or

• Submerged soil or soil from which water

is freely seeping; or

• Submerged rock that is not stable, or

• Material in a sloped, layered system

where the layers dip into the excavation
or a slope of four horizontal to one
vertical (4H:1V) or steeper.
 During Operations
• Men working in trenches shall
wear goggles & hard hats as
protection against falling
objects/materials.

• Excavated materials shall be

stored and retained at least 1.0
meter from the edge of the
excavation and at a distance to
prevent excessive loading on the
face of the excavation.
 During Operations
• Boulders or other
materials such that may
slide /roll into the
excavation shall be
removed or made safe.

• Do not stockpile materials

or store equipment nears
the edge of excavation,
excessive loading on the
face of excavation will tend
to collapse.
 During Operations

• Special attention shall be given to

side slopes, which may be adversely
affected by weather, moisture
content or vibration.

• The sides of excavations 4.0 ft. or

1.22 meter or more in depth unless
in solid rock, hard shale, or
cemented sand and gravel shall
either be sloped to the angle of
repose or be supported by sheeting,
shoring or other support systems.
 During Operations

• Where it is necessary to
undercut the side of an
excavation, overhanging
material shall be safely
supported.

• Pick & shovel men working in

excavation/trenches shall
keep a sufficient distance
apart so they cannot injure
each other.
 During operations

• Where excavations are to be

made below adjacent
foundations of structures,
such foundations shall be
supported by adequate
shoring, bracing underpinning
or other supports shall be
inspected daily and after
every rainstorm or other
hazards increase occurrence
by a competent person.
 During Operations
• Ground water shall be controlled.
Diversion ditches dikes or other
suitable means shall be
constructed and used to prevent
surface water from entering an
excavation/trenches.
• Where pedestrian and vehicular
traffic is to be maintained over or
adjacent to excavations, proper
safeguards should be provided,
such as walkways, bridges,
guardrails, barricades, warning
flags or lights.
 Equipment Operations at
Excavation
• If it is necessary to operate
power shovels, trucks,
materials or heavy objects
on a level above and near
an excavation,

• the sides of excavation

shall be sheet piled, shored
and braced as necessary to
resist the extra super
imposed loads.
 Equipment Operations at
Excavation
• Excavating or hoisting
equipment shall not be
allowed to raise, lower or
swing loads over people in the
excavation without substantial
overhead protection.
• When mobile equipment is
utilized or allowed adjacent to
excavations, substantial stop
logs, warning signs, or
barricades shall be installed.
 Equipment Operations at
Excavation
• Don’t work too close to the
cliff/edge of the excavation.
Avoid rework due to cave
in.
• When starting the machine
to move forward and
backward, sound the horn
or give signals to ensure
safety.
During Break Times - Workmen shall never
stand or take rest on high banks of soft material
where there is danger of a cave-in.
 Access to Excavations
• Excavations over 1.0 meter deep
should be by ramps, ladders and
stairways. Workmen should not jump
into the trench and shall not use the
bracing as a stairway.

• Ladders used as access-ways shall

extend from the bottom of the trench
to not less than 3.0 ft. or91.44 cm
above the surface. Lateral travel to an
exit ladder shall not exceed 25.0 ft. or
7.62meters.
 After Operations
• Guardrails, fences or other
barricades and warning lights or
other illuminations maintained from
sunset to sundown shall be placed
at all excavations.
•Reference Rule 1410 Construction Safety
• Rule 1413 Excavation
• No tools, materials or debris
should be left in walkways, ramps,
or near the edge of excavations.
Such material might be knocked off
or cause a worker to loose his
footing.
 Excavation in Confined Spaces
• Check the atmosphere condition
before entry. Do not work alone in
confined space. Provide lifeline.
Provide ventilation or blower
before entering the confined
spaces. Emergency rescue
equipment such as breathing
apparatus, safety harnesses and
line and basket stretcher shall be
readily available where adverse
atmospheric conditions are
suspected or may develop in
excavations.
Safety Organization of the Philippines, Inc.
Any questions?