Safety for Sloped and Benched Excavations
The Problem
Cave-ins remain one of the most serious hazards in excavation work, even when trenches are properly sloped or benched. Workers must stay vigilant, follow established safety protocols, and ensure that a qualified competent person has verified conditions before entering any excavation. Today, we’ll discuss how to protect yourself and your crew when working in or near sloped or benched excavations.
Identify the Hazards
- Cave-Ins: Excavation walls can fail due to unstable soil, weather conditions, or improper sloping or benching.
- Falling Objects: Tools, equipment, or loose soil can fall from above, striking workers below.
- Soil Distress: Cracks, fissures, or bulging walls are signs that a trench wall may collapse.
- Unsafe Access: Climbing on trench walls is dangerous and can lead to falls or trigger wall collapse.
Safety Practices and Preventative Measures
- Qualified Competent Person Clearance: Do not enter any excavation unless it has been inspected and declared safe by a qualified competent person.
- Maintain Safe Distances: Keep tools, materials, and machinery at least 600 mm (2 feet) away from the edge.
- Secure Items: Use wedges, chocks, or barriers to prevent objects from rolling or sliding into the excavation.
- Be alert for warning signs:
- Cracks or fissures along trench edges
- Bulging or sloughing soil
- Loose debris falling into the trench
- Report immediately to the qualified competent person for assessment and corrective action.
- Do Not Climb Walls: Never climb the sides of a sloped or benched trench.
- Use only ladders, ramps, or other approved means of access.
- For trenches deeper than 1.2 metres (4 feet), ensure access is provided every 7.5 metres (25 feet) of horizontal travel.
- If other workers are in the excavation, install barricades or protective measures to prevent tools, materials, or soil from falling in from above.
Real-Life Case or Scenario
A few years ago, a worker entered a sloped excavation without notifying the qualified competent person. Due to soil instability, part of the wall collapsed, burying the worker up to their waist. Co-workers acted quickly to free them, but the incident could have been prevented if the trench had been properly inspected and cleared for entry.
Employee Responsibilities
- Confirm that the qualified competent person has approved entry into any trench.
- Follow all safety instructions and use only approved access points.
- Keep materials away from trench edges.
- Stay alert for signs of soil instability and report concerns immediately.
Employer Responsibilities
- Provide training in excavation and trench safety.
- Ensure all excavations are inspected and approved by a qualified competent person.
- Provide compliant access and egress (e.g., ladders, ramps).
- Implement measures to protect workers from falling objects and soil collapse.
Discussion & Questions
- What signs of soil instability have you seen in past excavations?
- Have you ever encountered or witnessed a trench collapse? What happened and how was it handled?
Encourage your team to share past experiences or raise any current concerns.
Commitment/Action Plan
Let’s commit to never entering an excavation without a qualified competent person’s clearance. Before starting any task in or near a trench, check for safe access, watch for signs of instability, and ensure your work area is protected from falling objects.
Wrap-Up
Working in sloped or benched excavations carries real risks, but those risks can be managed with proper planning, precautions, and communication. By following these safety practices and looking out for one another, we can help ensure everyone goes home safely. Safety is always a team effort.
Standards Overview
Under the Canada Labour Code and applicable provincial/territorial occupational health and safety regulations, supported by guidance from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), employers and supervisors must:
- Ensure sloped or benched excavations are designed and maintained to prevent collapse.
- Provide safe access and egress for excavations deeper than 1.2 metres (4 feet).
- Inspect and approve trenches through a qualified competent person before workers enter.
- Install controls to protect workers from falling objects and unstable soil.
Disclaimer
“The information provided in this toolbox talk is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional legal, safety, or regulatory advice. The content reflects general best practices and industry standards but may not be applicable to all workplace environments or jurisdictions.
It is the responsibility of employers, supervisors, and workers to ensure compliance with applicable federal, provincial, and territorial laws, regulations, and standards, including but not limited to those set by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) and relevant provincial occupational health and safety authorities. Site App Pro, its affiliates, agents, or representatives—as well as the authors, presenters, and distributors of this toolbox talk—assume no liability for the use or application of the information provided.
Participants are strongly encouraged to consult appropriate legal, safety, or regulatory professionals regarding specific workplace concerns or questions. Always adhere to your organisation’s policies and procedures for health and safety and hazard management.
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