1. Construction Safety Talks
Trenches/ Some Things To Know Before You Give Your Talk.
Excavation/ As a supervisor, you need to check and be familiar with OSHA and
Shoring all local regulations governing trenching and shoring safety.
No. 25 You should also review your company's safety rules regarding
trenching and excavation safety.
During the meeting:
How This Talk • Review the three ways to prevent cave-ins; slope to the
Applies To My
Crew: maximum allowable angle for the specific material, use a
trench box , and install shoring.
• Outline the rules under which a worker may enter the trench
or excavation and the disciplinary action for failing to obey.
• Tell them who the competent person is.
• Stress that trench boxes and shoring only protect workers
within them and under no circumstances should anyone
work outside the protection of a shored trench, even for just
a moment.
• Discuss signs of earth movement that may indicate the soil
conditions are changing. Leave the excavation until a
competent person can evaluate.
• Discuss the signs of oxygen deficiency; buzzing in the ears;
faster, deep breathing; dizziness; or rapid heartbeat. Tell
them to get out of the trench/excavation and have it tested
before reentering.
• Cover the rules for placement of ladders in the trench or
excavation.
• Discuss how materials will be put into the excavation and/or
the handling of pipe.
• Review procedures for locating underground utilities and
discuss emergency action should an existing utility be
broken.
© 2003 Liberty Mutual Group – All Rights Reserved 1

2. Try This For Show And Tell!
Review the job plans for the location of existing underground utilities and the street
markings that identify them. Discuss the depth of the trench or excavation to be made,
the type of soil, and which of the three means of safeguarding will be used.
Attended By:
The illustrations, instructions and principles contained in the material are general in scope and, to the best of our knowledge, current at
the time of publication. No attempt has been made to interpret any referenced codes, standards or regulations. Please refer to the
appropriate code, standard or regulation making authority for interpretation or clarification.
© 2003 Liberty Mutual Group – All Rights Reserved 2