Industrial Safety

Excavation, Trenching, and Shoring Program

IV. RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Environmental Health & Safety is responsible to:

• Maintain and update the written Trenching and Shoring Program at SDSU.
  
  
• Assist in coordination of basic awareness training for employees who perform work activities in excavations.

B. SDSU Managers and Supervisors of employees who perform excavation construction operations are responsible to:

• Ensure the applicable information contained in this written program is communicated and understood through documented training.
  
  
• As applicable, ensure jobs are reviewed by the designated competent person before excavation construction operations begin.
  
  
• Assist with updating the written trenching and shoring program.
  
  
• Provide a copy of the Cal/OSHA Construction Activity Permit obtained by contractors working on site and their written program to EH&S.

C. Competent Person is responsible to:

• Perform safety inspections of the excavation, adjacent areas, and protective systems daily before the start of work and as needed throughout the shift. Inspections shall also be made after every rain storm or other hazard increasing occurrence. These inspections are only required when employee exposure can be reasonably anticipated.
  
  
• Remove all employees from a hazardous area until the necessary precautions have been taken to ensure their safety.
  
  
• Informing their supervisor about unsafe or hazardous conditions.
  
  
• Using their authority to take prompt corrective measures to immediately eliminate or control any identified hazards or conditions through implementation of engineering and administrative controls and personal protective equipment.

D. Employees are responsible to:

• Not enter an unprotected excavation.
  
  
• Understand and follow the requirements of the SDSU Trenching and Shoring Program.
  
  
• Follow instructions of the designated competent person.
  
  
• Ask questions when concerned about a hazardous situation.
  
  
• Report all unsafe conditions, practices, or equipment to the Supervisor.
  
  
• Participate in the required training program.

E. Contractors are responsible to:

• Comply with all Cal-OSHA policies and procedures pertaining to trenching and shoring.
  
  
• Take responsibility for their employees who perform trenching and shoring on campus.
  
  
• Train employees in the required procedures.
  
  
• Obtain a Cal/OSHA Construction Activity Permit for construction of trenches or excavations which are 5 feet or deeper into which a person is required to descend.
  
  
• Provide a copy of the Cal/OSHA Construction Activity Permit and written program to the SDSU Project Manager.