P O W E R P O I N T® T R A I N I N G

Trench Collapse—
The Case of the Disturbed Soil

11016915 ©2003
Let’s Look at the Stats

 About 400 U.S. workers die in trench-related

accidents each year
 About 6,400 U.S. workers are seriously
injured each year
 Soil weighs 125 lb per cubic foot
 Soil from a trench cave-in puts approx. 800 lb
of force on the chest of a trapped worker

11016915 ©2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.

Take a Look at the Facts

 4 employees
working in a trench
 Employee #1 at the
south end measuring
 Employees #2, #3
standing on pipe

11016915 ©2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.

Take a Look at the Facts (cont.)

 No trench protection
 Walls of trench collapse
 1 employee killed and 3 injured
Take a Look at the Facts (cont.)

 Previously disturbed
soil, Type C
 Water in the
bottom of the trench
 Numerous soil
cave-ins previously
 Nearby heavy equipment
and vehicular traffic
What Do You Think Went Wrong?

 What type of trench protection

could have been used?
 How much side slope is required
for trenches dug in Type C soil?
 What are some signs of
potential trench collapse?
 What can contribute to soil instability?

11016915 ©2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.

Let’s Review the Causes

 No trench protection system

 Inadequate slope of trench sides
 Vibration from nearby heavy equipment
 Water in the trench
 Trench inspections not conducted regularly
 No person on safety watch

11016915 ©2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.

Signs of Soil Distress

 Fissures or cracks
 Slumping of material
 Bulging at the bottom
of the excavation wall
 Pebbles trickling
into the excavation
 Sinking of excavation’s edge

11016915 ©2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.

 Conditions Causing Soil Distress
 Nearby vibrating
machinery

 Nearby heavy,
moving loads
 Seeping water or rain
 Hot, dry weather

11016915 ©2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.

Don’t Let It Happen to You

 Cave-ins occur suddenly

 Soils have varying stability
 Slope the trench
walls appropriately
 Use protection systems
 Be aware of the signs of soil distress
 Inspect excavations regularly

11016915 ©2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.

Quiz

1. Describe when excavations need to be inspected.

2. Describe why a worker buried up to the neck
would not be able to breathe.
3. Describe two signs of soil distress.
4. What is the slope ratio for Type C soil?
5. Name two conditions that contribute to soil distress.

11016915 ©2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.

Quiz (cont.)

6. Soil Type A is unstable and consists of silt,

sandy loam, and medium clay. True or False
7. Soil type must be determined by a trained
and competent person. True or False
8. Name a common form of portable protection
used to protect workers from cave-ins.
Quiz Answers

1. Q. Describe when excavations need to be

inspected.
A. Inspect trenches daily before each shift,
during the shift, and when conditions change.
2. Q. Describe why a worker buried up to the neck
would not be able to breathe.
A. The soil exerts about 800 lb of pressure,
which prevents the chest from expanding.

11016915 ©2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.

Quiz Answers (cont.)

3. Q. Describe two signs of soil distress.

A. Cracks or fissures, slumping, bulging,
sinking edge, trickling pebbles.
4. Q. What is the slope ratio for Type C soil?
A. 11/2 feet horizontal to 1 foot vertical.
5. Q. Name two conditions that contribute to
soil distress.
A. Vibrating machinery, heavy moving loads,
rain, hot and dry weather.
Quiz Answers (cont.)

6. Q. Soil Type A is unstable and consists of silt,

sandy loam, and medium clay.
True or False
A. False, Soil Type A is the most stable soil
and consists primarily of clay.
7. Q. Soil type must be determined by a trained
and competent person.
True or False
A. True.
Quiz Answers (cont.)

8. Q. Name a common form of portable protection

used to protect workers from cave-ins.
A. Trench boxes.