Excavation and trenching are among the most hazardous construction operations. Cave-ins pose the greatest risk and are much more likely than other excavation-related accidents to result in worker fatalities. Employers must ensure that workers enter trenches only after adequate protections are in place to address cave-in hazards.

Other potential hazards include falls, falling loads, hazardous atmospheres, and incidents involving mobile equipment.

Scope

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) excavation standard applies to all open excavations made in the Earth’s surface. Excavations are defined to include trenches.

This standard is found at 29 CFR Subpart P and Appendices A through F — Excavations.

The standard does not apply to house foundation/basement excavations, including those that become trenches by definition when constructing formwork, foundations, or walls. This exemption does not apply to utility excavations or trenches, which are covered by 1926.652.