Trench Excv Checklist

BEFORE TRENCHING OR EXCAVATION, THE COMPETENT PERSON SHOULD:

   Check soil conditions or other material to be excavated.

   Check proximity to utilities, buildings and sources of vibrations

   Check with owners of utilities, service or transmission piping, etc., and arrange

     shutdown or relocation of facilities if necessary. Call excavation hotlines and

     make sure that your UCC #'s are current.

   Check for previously disturbed soil.

   Check for trees, boulders or other hazards.

   Check adequacy and availability of all equipment, including personal protective

     gear, shoring materials, signs, barricades and machinery.

DURING TRENCHING AND EXCAVATION:

   Check for changing ground conditions particularly after rains.

   Check for possible oxygen deficiency or gaseous conditions.

   Check adequacy of shoring and or sloping as work progresses.

   Check for maintenance of entrance and exit methods.

   Check all sheeting, bracing, shoring and underpinning.

   Check for changes in vehicular and machinery operational patterns

AFTER TRENCHING AND EXCAVATIONS:

   Check sloping of banks, sides and walls in relation to depth of cut, water

     content of soil and vibration.

   Check entrance and exit methods

   Check location of heavy equipment, power shovels, derricks and trucks.

   Check that excavated material is two feet or more from the edge of the

      opening.

   Check the adequacy of portable trench boxes or trench shields, if used.

   Check for correct positioning of cross braces or trench jacks to prevent sliding,

      falling or kickouts.

WHEN EXCAVATING, THINK BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER.