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• 0 30 API RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 1646 9.7 SAFE ENTRY AND EXIT FROM EXCAVATION, INCLUDING EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND EVACUATION Workers shall have the customer's permission before conducting operations that will require personnel to enter an excavation. Effort should be made to use techniques that allow the work to be performed without entering an excavation. Only workers required to be in an excavation may enter an excavation. 9.7.1 Entering and Exiting Excavations • Do not enter an excavation more than 5 feet deep until all the requirements in this Excavation Safe Work Practice and other applicable OSHA requirements have been met. • The atmosphere in the excavation shall be tested to be sure there is no hazardous atmosphere present. • Workers may not enter an excavation where a hazardous atmosphere is present. • Work shall only take place in an excavation under the immediate supervision of a"competent person"experienced in exca- vation matters and the hazards involved. • Isolate all lines entering an excavation to prevent liquid or gas from accidentally discharging into the excavation. • Excavations four feet or more in depth shall be provided with a fixed means of exit. • Spacing between ladders or other means of exit shall be such that a worker will not have to travel more than 25 feet laterally to the nearest means of exit. • Do not enter an excavation unless the excavation has been inspected by a competent person at the start of the shift or after conditions change that may affect the stability of the excavation and an Excavation Inspection Permit-To-Work has been completed.A standardized,multi-permit form is provided in Appendix B.3. • Do not enter an excavation unless it has been properly planned and an Excavation Checklist has been completed. • For excavations greater than 5 feet deep,the sides of the excavation shall be protected from cave-in by sloping,benching of shoring systems(shoring systems shall be designed by a registered Professional Engineer). • Do not enter an excavation if soil or other items are piled or stored within 2 feet from the edge of the excavation. • No worker may be in an excavation while backfill is being added to the excavation. • No worker may be in an excavation while underground storage tanks are being lowered into the excavation. • Workers may not enter or remain in an excavation when an underground storage tank is unsupported or there is the possibil- ity that the tank may roll. 9.7.2 Ladders • Ladders shall be secured and extend a minimum of 36 inches above the edge of the excavation. • Metal ladders should not be used when electric utilities are present 9.7.3 Ramps A competent person shall design any ramps used.Such ramps shall: • Be of uniform thickness. • Be fastened securely together if made of more than one timber. • Have fasteners installed on the bottom of the timbers to prevent tripping. • Have cleats or other surface treatment,when needed,to prevent workers from slipping on the ramp. 9.7.4 Rescue Plan Workers shall not enter excavations where a hazardous atmosphere exists. Prior to beginning the excavation the contractor shall prepare a suitable rescue plan that specifies the actions to be taken if a worker becomes disabled,overcome by atmospheric hazards or otherwise incapacitated and shall be rescued from the excavation. 9.8 EXCAVATION COMPETENT PERSON REQUIREMENTS An excavation competent person as defined by OSHA is a person capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings,or working conditions that are unsanitary,hazardous,or dangerous to employees.The competent person is autho- rized to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate existing and predictable hazards and to stop work when required.Among other things,the designated excavation competent person shall have and be able to demonstrate the following: