Excavation Safety III

Design of Protective Systems

The employer shall select and construct:

• Slopes and configurations of sloping and benching systems
• Support systems, shield systems, and other protective systems
• Shield– can be permanent or portable. Also known as trench box or trench shield.
• Shoring– such as metal hydraulic, mechanical or timber shoring system that supports the sides
• Sloping– form sides of an excavation that are inclined away from the excavation

Protect Employees Exposed to Potential Cave-ins

• Slope or bench the sides of the excavation,
• Support the sides of the excavation, or
• Place a shield between the side of the excavation and the work area.