Excavations - The OSHA Competent

Person Course 10

When Is An Engineer Needed

Legal Stuff

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 Rule of Thumb
• For any protection
designs,
circumstances, and
hazards the OSHA
tables do not cover –
require an engineer!
• You can’t design
them yourself!
 The 20 Foot Limit
• A Professional
Engineer must design
protective systems for
any excavation
greater than 20 feet in
depth.
Where pumping is being carried out
to lower the ground water level,
subsidence of adjacent structures
may result. The characteristics of the
supporting soil may be changed by
pumping, causing a loss of fines and
reducing the load-bearing capacity of
the soil. If such works are to be
undertaken, expert advice should be
obtained.
Surface Encumberances

• If an excavation is
likely to affect the
stability of existing
structures, advice
from a registered
engineer must be
obtained before the
excavation is
started.
Surface Encumbrances

• Sidewalks, walls,
paved roads and
appurtenant structure
shall not be
undermined unless a
support system or
equivalent protection
is provided and
approved by a
registered engineer.
Adjacent Structures
• See a registered
engineer.
Adjacent Structures

•Requires
evaluation
by P.E.
Adjacent Structures

• 1926.651(i)(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…
Adjacent Structures
Likely To Affect The Stability

• What does that mean?

• If the soil were sloped according to it’s class.
• Would any part be within the slope.
• If so, then stability is affected.
Surface Crossing of Trenches.

• Vehicle crossings
must be designed
by and installed
under the
supervision of a
registered
professional
engineer.
OSHA Designed Shoring – Can’t Use
OSHA Designed Sloping – Can’t Use
Access

• 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.