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Development Command Center 17 items

Excavation & Trenching Competent Person Inspection Checklist

A daily competent-person inspection checklist for verifying excavation and trenching operations are protected against cave-in and atmospheric hazards under OSHA Subpart P.

OSHA 1926 Subpart POSHA 1926.651OSHA 1926.652

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Pre-Excavation Planning

  • Have underground utilities been located and marked before digging (811)? *
  • Has a competent person been designated for this excavation? *
  • Has the soil type been classified (A, B, or C)? *
  • Is the excavation depth and the required protective system determined? *

Protective Systems

  • For excavations 5 ft or deeper, is a protective system (sloping, benching, shoring, or shielding) in place? *
  • Do slope/bench angles match the soil classification? *
  • Are trench boxes/shields rated and installed per the tabulated/engineered data? *
  • Is spoil, equipment, and material kept at least 2 ft from the excavation edge? *

Access & Atmospheric Hazards

  • Is a ladder/ramp/stairway provided within 25 ft of workers in trenches 4 ft or deeper? *
  • Has the atmosphere been tested where hazardous atmospheres could exist (>4 ft)? *
  • Is water accumulation controlled and are workers protected from water hazards? *
  • Are surcharge loads and adjacent structures evaluated for stability? *

Daily Inspection & Sign-Off

  • Was an inspection made by the competent person before each shift and after any hazard-increasing event? *
  • Have workers been removed if hazardous conditions were found? *
  • Photo of excavation and protective system
  • Competent person signature
  • Inspection date

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