Or. Admin. Code § 437-004-3100 - Excavation
(1) Definition.
Excavation -- A man-made cut, hole, pit, trench or depression in the earth.
NOTE: Before any digging you must comply with Oregon's "Call Before You Dig" law. Call 1-800-332 -2344.
(2) Five feet or more. Employees must not
enter any excavation 5 feet or deeper unless protective systems are in place to
protect from cave-in or sloughing.
(3) Less than 5 feet. Employees must not
enter any excavation less than 5 feet deep when the sides are losing their
shape, are loose or show other signs of being unstable unless protective
systems are in place to protect from cave-in or sloughing.
(4) Strength. Systems installed in the
excavation must be strong enough and engineered to provide protection from
hazards of the particular excavation.
(5) Design. Systems must be as follows:
(a) Designed by a registered professional
engineer.
(b) Designed using the
manufacturer's or other tabulated data.
(6) Follow instructions. When using
manufactured systems, follow the instructions and do not exceed the limitations
of the system.
(7) System size.
Systems must extend from the bottom of the excavation to at least the top
edge.
(8) Sloping. Sloping is an
acceptable system to protect workers. Sloping must be at a ratio of at least 1
1/2 to 1. That means a horizontal setback of 1 1/2 feet for every 1-foot of
trench depth.
(9) Access/Exit.
There must be a safe way, such as a ladder or steps, to get into and out of
excavations 4 or more feet deep. In trenches, these exits must be at least
every 25 linear feet.
(10) Water.
Workers will not enter excavations where there is accumulating water, either
from ground seepage or surface run-off, unless there are adequate protections
from hazards caused by the water.
(11) Inspect daily. A person familiar with
these rules and the work must inspect all excavations daily, before workers
enter or reenter.
(12) Spoils and
equipment. Keep soil and material removed from the excavation (spoils) at least
two feet away from the edge of the excavation or restrained. Equipment that
could roll or fall into the excavation must also be at least two feet back or
restrained.
Notes
Stat. Auth.: ORS 654.025(2) & 656.726(4)
Stats. Implemented: ORS 654.001 - 654.295
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