Excavation Hazards

While excavation hazards do not represent many of the incidents reported at a hazardous waste site, they can be dangerous for workers or very costly for the operator; as such, OSHA addresses them specifically. OSHA regulations regarding excavation and trenching are found in 29 CFR §1926.650-652.

Cave-ins at excavation sites are the greatest and most likely hazards. Dozens of workers die yearly due to trench collapses and hundreds sustain injuries. Other hazards presented by excavation processes include the following:

• Hitting or damaging existing utility lines
• Striking an underground installation
• Entering an unshored or improperly shored excavation
• Falling into unmarked trenches

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