Inspections

Excavations - The OSHA Competent Person Course 9

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 Inspections of Excavations
A competent person must
make daily inspections of
excavations, areas around
them and protective systems:
 Before work starts and as
needed,
 After rainstorms, high
winds or other occurrence
which may increase
hazards, and
 When you can reasonably
anticipate an employee will
be exposed to hazards.
 Inspections of Excavations

 When there is a
change in the size,
location or placement
of the spoil pile
 When there is any
indication of change or
movement in adjacent
structures.
If Hazards Detected

If the competent
person finds evidence
of a possible cave-in,
indications of failure of
protective systems,
hazardous
atmospheres, or other
hazardous conditions:
If Hazards Detected

Exposed
employees
must be
removed from
the hazardous
area
Employees may
not return until
the necessary
precautions
have been
Inspecting Sloping Systems

 When fissures,
tension cracks,
sloughing,
undercutting,
water seepage,
bulging at the
bottom or
other similar
conditions
occur.
Inspecting Sloping Systems
 More fissures and tension cracks.
Inspecting Sloping Systems
 More fissures
and tension
cracks.
Inspecting Sloping Systems

After any
accidental fall
of rock, earth
or other
material.
Inspecting Systems

After other
events that
could
increase
hazards.
The Golden Rule of Inspections

Allsystems must be
used, installed and
maintained
according to the
manufacturers
instructions.
Get a copy of the
instructions.
No Substitute Parts

Use only the

connectors
provided by
the
manufacturer
Inspecting Hydraulic Shoring

Inspect for leaks

in hoses, bent
bases broken or
cracked nipples
and other
damaged parts.
Inspecting Timber
•Inspect the timbers
before installing.
Remove and do not use
defective lumber.

•After installing check

wales for crushing or
excessive bending.
• This indicated bad
timber.
• Don’t remove the
timber, but reinforce
it with more struts.
Inspecting Trench Boxes
Structural damage
Cracks in welds
Other

During use check to see if

it is settling more to one
side than the other side.
Could cause the box to
overturn or soil could be
moving the box.
 General Rules For All Systems
• Materials and equipment shall be free from
damage or defects that might impair their
proper function.

• Follow the recommendations of the

manufacturer.

• When material or equipment is damaged, a

competent person shall examine the material or
equipment and evaluate its suitability for
continued use. - See manufacturers manuals.

• If they are not safe for use, they must be

removed from service.

• Once removed they cannot be returned to

service without the evaluation and approval of a
registered professional engineer.