INTRODUCTION TO OSHA - FREE Safety Training

WELCOME Please sign the attendance sheet Take one handout Answer the pre-testEXCAVATION AND TRENCHINGOSHA - SUSAN HARWOOD TRAINING GRANT2LOCATIONDISCLAIMER Emergency Exits Emergency Stairs Location of restrooms Location of water fountainsThis material was produced under grant numberSH-16580-SH7 from the Occupational Safety andHealth Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. Itdoes not necessarily reflect the views or policies ofthe U. S. Department of Labor, nor does mention oftradenames,commercialproducts,ororganizations imply endorsement by the U. S.Government.Revisions were made to this material under grantnumber SH-05120-SH9 from the OccupationalSafety and Health Administration, U.S. Departmentof Labor.34AGENDA WelcomeIntroduction to OSHAWorker’s rightsIntroduction to Trenching and Excavation Hazards What is trenching? Preventing excavation hazardCommon Trenching and Excavation HazardsSoil OOSHAOverview of anti-retaliation provisions, employee rights,employer responsibilities, whistleblower laws, andOSHA’s complaint investigation procedures61

WHY IS OSHA IMPORTANT TO YOU? OSHA began because, until 1970, there were nonational laws for safety and health hazards. On average, 14 workers die every day from jobinjuries Worker deaths in America are down–on average,from about 38 worker deaths a day in 1970 to 14 aday in 2017WORKER FATALITIES 5,147 workers died at the job in 2017, 971(20.7%)worked in construction Excavation — an average of 19 death per year, from alow of 10 death in 2014 to a high of 33 death in 2016DISCUSSION QUESTIONS When, during your work experience, did you firsthear about OSHA? What did you think about OSHA then? What do you think OSHA’s job is?(Source: BLS 2018)7HISTORY OF OSHA8OSHA’S MISSION OSHA stands for theOccupational Safety and HealthAdministration, an agency ofthe U.S. Department of Labor OSHA’s responsibility is workersafety and health protection On December 29, 1970,President Nixon signed theOSH Act This Act created OSHA, theagency, which formally cameinto being on April 28, 1971 To save lives To prevent injuries To protect America’sworkers9STRATEGIES TO REDUCE INJURIESAND DEATHS Strong, fair, and effective enforcement. Outreach, education, and complianceassistance. Partnerships and other cooperative programs.10HCS PICTOGRAMS AND HAZARDSLabels for hazardoussubstances in yourworkplace11122

INSPECTIONS PROCESSOSHA INSPECTIONS The OSH Act authorizes OSHA compliancesafety and health officers (CSHOs) to conductworkplace inspections at reasonable times. OSHA conducts inspections without advancenotice, except in rare circumstances (e.g.Imminent Danger) In fact, anyone who tells an employer about anOSHA inspection in advance can receive finesand a jail term.A typical OSHA on-site inspection includes fourstages:1.2.3.4.Presentation of inspector credentials.An opening conference.An inspection walk-around.A closing conference.13OSHA’S INSPECTION PRIORITIESPriority1st2nd3rd4th14OSHA’S COMPLAINT INVESTIGATIONS OSHA evaluates each complaint to determine howit can be handled best--an off-site investigation oran on-site inspection Before beginning an inspection, OSHA staff mustbe able to determine from the complaint that thereare reasonable grounds to believe that a violationof an OSHA standard or a safety or health hazardexists. If OSHA has information indicating the employer isaware of the hazard and is correcting it, theagency may not conduct an inspection afterobtaining the necessary documentation from theemployer.Category of InspectionImminent Danger:Reasonable certainty an immediate dangerexistsFatality/Catastrophe:Reported to OSHA; inspected ASAPComplaints/Referrals:Worker or worker representative can file acomplaint about a safety or health hazardProgrammed Inspections:Cover industries and employers with highinjury and illness rates, specific hazards, orother exposures.15CONT.16RIGHTS AS A WHISTLEBLOWER Employee may file a complain with OSHAunder Section 11(c) if your employer retaliatesagainst you by taking unfavorable personnelaction because you engaged in protectedactivity relating to workplace safety and health. OSHA requires that complaints must be filedwithin 30 days after the alleged retaliation. Your employer may be found to have retaliatedagainst you if your protected activity was acontributing or motivating factor in its decisionto take unfavorable personnel action againstyou. Such actions may include:1718 Firing or laying off Blacklisting Denying overtime orpromotion Disciplining Denying benefits Failing to hire or rehire Intimidation Reassignmentaffecting promotionprospects Reducing pay or hour3

DEFINITIONSExcavationAny man-made cavity or depression in the earth’s surface(including its walls, floor and lip) formed by earth removal.For rescue purposes an excavation is wider than it is deep.QUESTIONS ABOUTOSHA?1920EXCAVATIONSOVERVIEW / MAIN POINTSDEFINITIONSTrenchA narrow excavation which is deeper than it is wide, with amaximum width of fifteen (15) feet measured at the floor(bottom). Excavation laws, regulations, standards Soil classification Soil testing Competent person responsibilities Hazards associated with trenches Protective systems21TRAGIC FACTS22TRAGIC FACTSExcavating is recognized as one of the mosthazardous construction operations 97 Workers were killed onExcavation/Trenching jobs from 2013-2017. From a low of 10 deaths in 2014 to a high of33 in 2016. Cave-ins are more likely than other excavationrelated accidents to result in worker fatalities. 60% of related deaths are rescuers Civilians Fire dept personnel Co-workers Cave-ins can happen without warning All of the fatalities and injuries could have beenprevented(Source: BLS 2018, www.osha.gov)23244

COLLAPSE FORCESSOIL WEIGHT EXAMPLE 24 inches of soil on a person’s chest weighs750-1000 lb.20 cubic feet 2,000 lbs.How tall are you? This example is 4ft deepDo you think you can get out? 18 inches of soil covering a body weighs1800-3000 lb.25 ACR Publications Used By Permission26SPEED OF COLLAPSING DIRTCOLLAPSE FORCE Shear wall collapse speed is 45 mph Imagine this coming down on top of you . 1 cubic foot of soil can weigh from 100 to 125 lb.Weight of a VolkswagenWeight of one cubic yardof soil2,785 Pounds272,700 Pounds28TRENCH COLLAPSEEFFECTS ON THE BODY Respiratory distress Crush syndrome Total body impact29305

THE SEVEN TRENCHING HAZARDSUNSAFE ATTITUDES1. Cave–ins2. Electric Line Contact “I Know what I’m doing.” “It can’t happen to me.” “I’ve been doing it that way foryears.” “I’d sleep in that hole!” “Don’t worry, we’ll watch the wallsand tell you if you need to get out.” Overhead Buried3.4.5.6.7.Falls into ExcavationsEquipment Falling into ExcavationsExplosion / Fire / ElectrocutionHazardous AtmosphereDrowning31MOST COMMON CAUSES OFCAVE-INS:32LEGAL ASPECTS OSHA [29 CFR 1926.650 - 652]Excavation standard applies to all openexcavations made in the earth’s surfacesincluding trenches, all surface encumbrancesthat would create a hazard, and protectivesystems Poor Planning Misjudgment of soil type. Inadequate, or incorrect installation ofprotective devices. Defective protective devices. Failure to adjust for changing conditions33WHAT’S IN THE STANDARD?34GENERAL REQUIREMENTS Scope, application and definitions1926.651(a) Surface encumbrances(b) Underground installations(c) Access & egress(d) Exposure to vehicle traffic(e) Exposure to falling loads(f) Warning systems for mobile equipment Job Site Hazard Listing Requirements for Protective Systems Appendixes that detail: Soil Classification Sloping and Benching Timber and Aluminum Hydraulic Shoring Protective System Selection Decision Tree35366

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS (CONT.)SURFACE ENCUMBRANCES1926.651(g) Hazardous atmospheres(h) Protection from hazards associatedwith water accumulation(i) Stability of adjacent structures(j) Protection from loose rock or soil(k) Inspections(l) Fall protectionAll surfacesencumbrances that arelocated so as to create ahazard to employeesshall be removed orsupported as necessaryto safeguard employees3738UNDERGROUND INSTALLATIONS(CONT.)UNDERGROUND INSTALLATIONSUtility companies shall be contacted with inestablished local response times Advised of proposed work Asked to establish location of utility When request cannot be met, employermay proceed with caution with detectionequipment of an acceptable means tolocate utility While the excavation is open, undergroundinstallations shall be protected, supportedor removed as necessary to safeguardemployees39ACCESS & EGRESS40EXPOSURE TO VEHICLE TRAFFICStructural ramps Used by employees shall be designed by acompetent person When used for equipment shall be designedcompetent person qualified in structuraldesign Stairway, ladder, ramp or other safe means ofegress require no more than 25 ft of lateraltravel for employees in excavations that are 4feet or more in depth Ladders must be secured and extend aminimum of 36 inches above the landing41Employees exposed to public vehicle traffic shallbe provided with and wear warning vests orother suitable garments Marked or made with reflectorized or highlyvisible material Requiring a designated, trained flag personalong with signs, signals, and barricadeswhen necessary427

STUCK-INEXPOSURE TO FALLING LOADS No employee shall be permitted underneathloads handled by digging or lifting equipment Stand away from vehicle being loaded orunloaded to avoid being struck Operators may remain in cabs when vehiclesare equipped in accordance with 1926.6014344EXCAVATION WITHOUT PROPER BARRICADEWARNING SYSTEMS FOR MOBILEEQUIPMENT When operator does not have clear view of edgeof excavation Warning system shall be utilized Barricades Hand or mechanical signals Stop logs4546VEHICLE FALLING IN EXCAVATIONHAZARDOUS ATMOSPHERESTesting and controls To prevent harmful levels of atmosphericcontaminants Less than 19.5% or more than 23.5%oxygen Atmosphere tested before entry Adequate precautions shall be taken Ventilation Proper respiratory protection Testing done often as necessary47488

EXPOSED TO HAZARDOUS ATMOSPHEREATMOSPHERE49MONITORING50VENTILATION BLOWERS5152EMERGENCY RESCUE EQUIPMENTBELL BOTTOM PIER HOLERescue equipment Breathing equipment Safety harness and line or basket stretcher Must be readily available Must be attended Bell-bottom pier holes, deep and confinedfooting excavation shall wear a harness witha lifeline securely attached to itA tubular shaft with a wider bell shaped crosssection at it’s base for support. Created forfoundations and footer construction.53549

WATER ACCUMULATIONWATER ACCUMULATION(CONT.)Employees shall not work in excavations wherethere is accumulated water, or where water isaccumulating, unless adequate precautions havebeen taken, to protect employees.Must take adequate precautions to protectemployees Accumulating waterVaries with each situationRemoval monitored by competent personRun off from heavy rains requires inspection bycompetent person55WATER REMOVAL FROM TRENCH56WATER REMOVAL EQUIPMENT5758STRUCTURAL FAILURESTABILITY OF ADJACENTSTRUCTURES Where stability is endangered by excavationoperations Support systems such as shoring, bracing orunderpinning shall be provided Sidewalks,pavementandappurtenantstructures shall not be undermined unlesssupport systems are used to protectemployees596010

LEVELPROTECTION FROM LOOSE ROCKAND SOILHazard from falling or rolling from excavation face Scaling to remove loose materials Installation of protective barricades Other means (retaining devices) 2 feet from edge of excavation6162TRENCHWHAT’S GOOD?WHAT’S NOT SO GOOD?6364WHO IS COMPETENT PERSONCOMPETENT PERSON One who is capable of identifying existing orpredictable hazards in the surroundings whichare unsanitary, hazardous or dangerous toemployees & who has authorization to takeprompt corrective measures Has specific training in and be knowledgeableabout soil analysis, use of protective systemsand the requirements of the standard656611