Excavation Safety Checklist

Excavation Safety Checklist

Job Site Inspection

	Yes	No	Any thoughts?
Excavations, adjacent areas, and protective systems inspected by the competent person before the start of work.
If a utility scan is to be performed, has the technician been trained to operate the equipment?
Surface encumbrances removed or supported.
Employees are protected from loose rock or soil that could pose a hazard by falling or rolling into the excavation.
Hard hats worn by all employees.
Spoils, materials, and equipment set back at least two feet from the edge of the excavation.
Barriers provided at all remotely located excavations, wells, pits, shafts, etc.
Walkways and bridges over excavations four feet or more in-depth are equipped with standard guardrails and toeboards.
Warning vests or other highly visible clothing provided and worn by all employees exposed to public vehicular traffic.
Employees are required to stand away from vehicles being loaded or unloaded.
A warning system established and utilized when mobile equipment is operating near the edge of the excavation.
Employees are prohibited from going under suspended loads.
Employees are prohibited from working on the faces of slopes or benched excavations above other employees.
Has traffic control (fire departments, etc.) been notified?
Are there any environmental concerns to be addressed?

During the Installation of the Kit

	Yes	No	Any thoughts?
Have all struts, braces, and walers been checked for damage prior to installation?
Have all lifting points been inspected and are they free from damage / excessive corrosion?
Surface encumbrances removed or supported.
Have all hydraulic connections, associated hoses, and pumps been checked for damage, and are they free from dirt and grease?
Is the pressure release valve in its ‘open’ position so that the pump and its associated hose are at atmospheric pressure?
Are all hydraulics pumped out to, but not exceeding recommended pressure?
Are all pins and bolts are correctly located?
Are frames installed square, plumb, and at the level specified by design (if any)? Are trench sheets installed vertically and plumb?
Employees are required to stand away from vehicles being loaded or unloaded.
A warning system established and utilized when mobile equipment is operating near the edge of the excavation.
Employees are prohibited from going under suspended loads.
Employees prohibited from working on the faces of slopes or benched excavations above other employees.
Has traffic control (fire departments, etc.) been notified?
Are there any environmental concerns to be addressed?

During Excavation

	Yes	No	Any thoughts?
Are all hanging chains in tension and are they evenly loaded?
Are frames/walers suitably packed against trench sheets to ensure even load distribution?
Is there excessive deflection on braces / walers / trench sheets?
Are any cross struts or braces sufficiently protected from impact loads?
Are there any visible signs of loss of hydraulic fluid on hydraulic components and/or in the volume bucket?
Is there any visible movement of the ground surrounding the excavation?

During the Removal of Equipment

	Yes	No	Any thoughts?
Has excavation been backfilled and compacted with appropriate material to a suitable level prior to the removal of any braces or walers?
Are braces/walers supported from the underside by timber packing (or similar) prior to the loosening of hydraulics?
Are hydraulic frames / struts released and loosened off prior to removal?
Is the lifting equipment proposed (including chains) appropriate for the removal of equipment and are the correct lifting points used?

Hazardous Atmosphere

	Yes	No	Any thoughts?
The atmosphere within the excavation was tested where there is a reasonable possibility of an oxygen deficiency, combustible or other harmful contaminant exposing employees to a hazard.
Adequate precautions are taken to protect employees from exposure to an atmosphere containing less than 19.5% oxygen and/or to other hazardous atmospheres.
Ventilation is provided to prevent employee exposure to an atmosphere containing flammable gas in excess of 10% of the lower explosive limit of the gas.
Testing conducted often to ensure that the atmosphere remains safe.
Emergency equipment, such as breathing apparatus, safety harness and lifeline, and/or basket stretcher readily available where hazardous atmospheres could or do exist.
Employees trained to use personal protective and other rescue equipment.
Is the lifting equipment proposed (including chains) appropriate for the removal of equipment and are the correct lifting points used?
Safety harness and lifeline used and individually attended when entering bell bottom or other deep confined excavations.

Support Systems

	Yes	No	Any thoughts?
Materials and/or equipment for support systems selected based on soil analysis, trench depth, and expected loads.
Materials and equipment used for protective systems inspected and in good condition.
Damaged materials and equipment used for protective systems are inspected by a registered professional engineer after repairs and before being placed back into service.
Emergency equipment, such as breathing apparatus, safety harness and lifeline, and/or basket stretcher readily available where hazardous atmospheres could or do exist.
Employees trained to use personal protective and other rescue equipment.
Is the lifting equipment proposed (including chains) appropriate for the removal of equipment and are the correct lifting points used?
Safety harness and lifeline used and individually attended when entering bell bottom or other deep confined excavations.
Protective systems were installed without exposing employees to the hazards of cave-ins collapses, or the threat of being struck by materials or equipment.
Members of support system securely fastened to prevent failure.
Support systems provided in ensure the stability of adjacent structures, buildings, roadways, sidewalks, walls, etc.
Removal of support systems progresses from the bottom and members are released lowly as to note any indication of possible failure.
Backfilling progresses with the removal of the support system.
Excavation of material to a level no greater than two feet below the bottom of the support system and only if the system is designed to support the loads calculated for the full depth.

Site location
Street Address
Street Address Line 2
CityState / Province
Postal / Zip Code
Excavation depth in meter
Excavation width in meter
Type of protective system used
Competent person
"Last Name
Signature
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