Excavation Inspections & the Competent Person
Every excavation must be watched over by a competent person, someone trained to spot trench hazards and with the authority to get workers out immediately.
- Construction
Who is a competent person?
OSHA defines a competent person as someone who can identify existing and predictable hazards and who has the authority to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them. For excavations, that means someone trained in:
- Soil classification and testing. See Soil Classification
- Protective systems: sloping, benching, shoring and shielding, and their limits
- OSHA’s excavation standard (Subpart P)
- Recognizing water, atmospheric, utility and surcharge hazards
The competent person should be on site whenever people are in the excavation. Many employers keep a written record of who is designated.
When inspections happen
- Daily, before work starts
- As needed throughout the shift
- After every rainstorm or other event that could increase hazards (thaw, nearby blasting, heavy equipment)
- When the work or conditions change
What they check
- Signs of possible cave-in: cracks, bulges, sloughing, water
- Protective system working and right for the soil and depth
- Spoil piles and equipment set back from the edge
- Safe access and egress
- Water accumulation and how it’s controlled
- Hazardous atmospheres (test if needed)
- Nearby structures, sidewalks and roads stable
- Utilities located, supported and protected
Other things the competent person manages
- Atmospheric testing: in excavations over 4 feet deep where low oxygen or toxic or flammable gases could reasonably be expected (near landfills, fuel tanks, sewers or gas lines), the air must be tested before entry and as often as needed.
- Water: workers can’t work in excavations with standing water unless precautions are taken, such as shoring designed for it, water removal, and harnesses and lifelines. Water removal equipment must be monitored.
- Walkways: where people cross over an excavation, a walkway is needed, with guardrails if it’s 6 feet or more above the bottom.
- Falling loads: no one may work under loads being handled by lifting or digging equipment.
Keep a record
OSHA doesn’t require a written daily inspection, but a simple log helps. Record the date and time, depth, soil type, protective system, weather, conditions found and actions taken. It shows the inspection happened and helps the next competent person on shift.
Authority to act: if the competent person finds evidence of a possible cave-in, a failed protective system, a hazardous atmosphere or other hazards, workers must be removed from the hazard until it’s fixed.
For workers
- Know who the competent person is before entering a trench.
- Don’t enter until the inspection is done.
- Report changes you notice: new cracks, water, sloughing.
Standards & references
- 29 CFR 1926.651(k): Inspections
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