SEC-05 • Earthwork & Subsurface • 29 CFR 1926.650–652 (Subpart P) & OSHA National Emphasis Program on Trenching & Excavation

Trenching, Excavation & Underground Utility Protection

Competent Person soil classification (Stable Rock, Type A, Type B, Type C), sloping/benching/shoring/shielding at ≥5 feet depth, 811 underground utility locating, egress ladders within 25 feet, and spoil pile setback (≥2 feet).

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Mandatory OSHA & RAVS® Audit Elements Covered

Every Trenching, Excavation & Underground Utility Protection document generated by Trade Safety Manuals is pre-merged with your Company Name and Designated Safety Director and addresses these required regulatory provisions:

  • Call 811 at least 48–72 hours prior to digging; hand dig or vacuum pothole within 24 inches of marked underground utilities
  • Designated Competent Person must perform and log at least 1 visual and 1 manual soil test (thumb penetration or pocket penetrometer) before anyone enters
  • Mandatory cave-in protection (sloping, benching, hydraulic shoring, or P.E.-tabulated trench box) in all excavations ≥5 feet deep (or <5 feet if cave-in potential exists)
  • Means of egress (ladder, ramp, or stairway) within 25 feet of lateral travel in trenches ≥4 feet deep; spoil piles and equipment kept ≥2 feet from trench edge
OSHA Construction Standard: 29 CFR 1926.650–652 (Subpart P)
OSHA General Industry Standard: OSHA National Emphasis Program on Trenching & Excavation
RAVS® / Portal Category: Earthwork & Subsurface
Required Employee Training Interval: Competent Person certification for supervisors; initial & annual trench hazard training for all field crew
Competent Person Inspection Frequency: Daily prior to start of shift, after every rainstorm or hazard-increasing occurrence, and throughout the shift by the Competent Person

Required PPE & Instant Custom Sample Download

Mandatory Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) & Controls Specified:

  • ANSI Z89.1 Hard Hat
  • High-Visibility Class 2/3 Apparel
  • Safety-Toe Boots
  • 4-Gas Monitor (when ≥4 ft deep near landfills, sewers, or fuel lines)

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Browse All 24 Written OSHA & RAVS® Safety Programs:

SEC-01: Injury & Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) / Corporate Safety PolicySEC-02: Fall Protection, Guardrails & Post-Fall Rescue PlanSEC-03: Control of Hazardous Energy — Lockout / Tagout (LOTO)SEC-04: Electrical Safety, Arc Flash & NFPA 70E Compliance ProgramSEC-05: Trenching, Excavation & Underground Utility ProtectionSEC-06: Permit-Required Confined Space Entry (Construction & General Industry)SEC-07: Respirable Crystalline Silica Written Exposure Control PlanSEC-08: Hazard Communication (HazCom) & GHS Safety Data Sheets ProgramSEC-09: Fire Prevention, Welding, Cutting & Hot Work Permit ProgramSEC-10: Portable Ladders, Stairways & Safe Access ProgramSEC-11: Supported & Mobile Scaffolding Safety ProgramSEC-12: Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) — Aerial & Scissor LiftsSEC-13: Cranes, Derricks, Rigging & Qualified Signal Person ProgramSEC-14: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) & Hazard Assessment ProgramSEC-15: Heat Illness Prevention, Acclimatization & Hydration PlanSEC-16: Hand & Portable Power Tools, Guards & Pneumatic/Powder-Actuated ToolsSEC-17: Respiratory Protection, Medical Evaluation & Fit Testing ProgramSEC-18: Heavy Earthmoving & Mobile Equipment, Spotters & Traffic ControlSEC-19: Compressed Gas Cylinders, Refrigerants & Mechanical Piping SafetySEC-20: Bloodborne Pathogens, First Aid & Sewage/Biohazard Exposure ControlSEC-21: Emergency Action Plan (EAP), Medical Evacuation & Severe WeatherSEC-22: Incident Investigation, Root Cause Analysis & OSHA 300 RecordkeepingSEC-23: Subcontractor Safety Prequalification & Multi-Employer CoordinationSEC-24: Occupational Noise Exposure & Hearing Conservation Program