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OPERATING PROCEDURE NO. HS-512 <br /> EXCAVATION AND TRENCHING <br /> 512.1 PURPOSE <br /> Excavation involves the removal of earth to form a man-made cut, cavity, trench, or <br /> depression in the earth's surface. Strict health and safety requirements are essential for <br /> any project involving excavation to minimize the risk of injury associated with such <br /> hazards as potential cave-ins; slip, trip, and fall hazards, and the operation of heavy <br /> equipment. <br /> Excavation safety regulations present a significant challenge for operations within <br /> California. Prior to the 1990 Fed-OSHA revision, Cal-OSHA had some of the most <br /> stringent excavations standards in the nation. However, the new federal standard (29 <br /> CFR 1926.650) presented many discrepancies with the California standard (Title 8 <br /> Section 1540). The newly modified Cal-OSHA excavation standard can be found in Title <br /> 8 1540-1541.1. Refer to Table HS-512-1 for a California Excavation Checklist. If <br /> excavation is to be performed in a state other than California, that state's regulations will <br /> be reviewed and the more stringent requirements will be followed. <br /> . 512.2 APPLICABILITY <br /> This procedure applies to excavation and trenching operations associated with <br /> geotechnical and environmental investigations. The procedure must be used as an <br /> attachment to a site specific health and safety plan for projects where hazardous or <br /> potentially hazardous materials may be encountered. <br /> 512.3 DEFINITIONS <br /> TRENCH - is a narrow excavation (in relation to its length) made below the surface of <br /> the ground. In general, the depth is greater than the width at the bottom, but the width of <br /> a trench at the bottom is not greater than 15 ft. <br /> EXCAVATION - A man-made cavity or depression in the earth's surface, including its' <br /> sides, walls, or faces formed by the removal of materials, and producing unsupported <br /> earth conditions by reason of such removal. If installed forms or similar structures <br /> reduce the depth-to-width relationship, the excavation may become a trench. <br /> 512.3 EXCAVATION SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS <br /> Factors that influence excavation safety include: <br /> • . Traffic <br /> Nearness of structures and their condition <br /> 1 <br />