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33 • A spotter shall be used during excavation to assist the operator when his view is obstructed • Do not enter the excavations unless completely necessary, only after a competent person has completed their daily inspection and authorized entry. An inspection shall be conducted by the skilled person before the start of work, as needed throughout the shift, after every rainstorm, and after any hazard-increasing occurrence. Documentation of the inspection must always be maintained on-site. • Follow all excavation entry requirements established by the competent person and any excavation permit used. • Sloping, benching, shoring, shielding, or other protective systems are required t o protect personnel from cave-ins except when the excavation is made entirely in stable rock or is less than 5 feet deep, and there is no indication of the possible cave-in, as determined by the excavation competent person. Protective systems for excavations deeper than 20 feet must be designed or approved by a registered professional engineer (PE). • Trenches greater than 4 feet deep shall be provided with a ladder, stairway, or ramp positioned so that the maximum lateral travel distance is no more than 25 feet. • The atmosphere of excavations greater than 4 feet deep shall be tested before entry when a hazardous atmosphere exists or could reasonably be expected to exist, such as excavating landfills, hazardous waste dumps, or areas containing sewer or gas utility systems, petroleum distillates, or areas where dangerous substances are stored nearby. • Spoil piles, material, and equipment must be kept at least 2 feet from the edge of the excavation, or a retaining device must be used to prevent the material from falling into the excavation. • Excavations shall not be entered when: o Protective systems are damaged or unstable. o Objects or structures above the work location may become unstable and fall into the excavation. o The potential for a hazardous atmosphere exists unless the air has been tested and found to be at safe levels or o Accumulated water exists in the excavation unless precautions have been taken to prevent cave-in. • The excavation self-assessment checklist shall be used to evaluate excavations before entry. 4.2.25 STEEP GRADES Intentionally Left Blank