New OSHA Guidelines on Safe Trenching Operations Released

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released three new guidance products to educate workers and employers about the hazards workers face in trenching operations. The new information products, which are available on OSHA's Publications page, include:

• "Trenching and Excavation" fact sheet – an overview of the hazards that can occur while performing trenching operations and the safety measures required to protect workers;
• "Working Safely in Trenches" QuickCard – an easy-to-use guide to trenching hazards and safety measures with graphics; and
• "Do Not Enter an Unprotected Trench!" poster – a resource for construction workplaces informing workers what steps must be taken to ensure trench safety, along with the warning "An Unprotected Trench is an Early Grave."

Subjects covered in the three documents include proper shoring and sloping; evaluations by competent persons; means of access/egress; atmospheric hazard testing; and protective systems. The guidance also describes the protective measures that are required under OSHA's excavation standards (29 CFR 1926.650, 29 CFR 1926.651, and 29 CFR 1926.652). Spanish-language versions of the documents are also available. OSHA conducts a Special Emphasis Program on Trenching and Excavations (Directive CPL 02-00-069 [CPL 2.69]) which sets procedures for enforcement activities wherever trenching and excavation worksites are observed. When OSHA's compliance officers see a trench, they will inspect a trench. For more information, contact Scott Berry at (703) 837-5321 or berrys@agc.org; or Kevin Cannon at (703) 837-5410 or cannonk@agc.org