February 28, 2005—The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published a new safety information pocket card designed to help ensure safer trenching and excavation practices, while also explaining federal requirements for construction excavation safety. The Safety in Excavations or Trenches (.pdf file) card outlines required criteria for excavation or trench walls, as well as specific requirements for protective systems. The card is printed in English on one side and Spanish on the other.
Excavating is recognized as one of the most hazardous construction operations. OSHA recently revised construction excavation standards to make them easier to understand, permit the use of performance criteria where possible, and provide construction employers with options when classifying soil and selecting employee protection methods.
