Protection of Employees from Loose Rock or Soil

Loose rock or soil that falls or rolls from an excavation face poses a serious risk to employees. Adequate protection must be provided. Such protection must consist of at least one of the following:

• Scaling to remove loose material
• Installation of protective barricades at necessary intervals on the face to stop and contain falling material
• Other means that provide equivalent protection

Excavated materials or equipment that falls or rolls into excavations also poses a hazard to employees. Protection must be provided by one of the following:

• Placing and keeping such materials or equipment at least 2 feet (.61 m) from the edge of excavations
• Using retaining devices sufficient to prevent materials or equipment from falling or rolling into excavations
• If necessary, a combination of both of the above

To learn more about Trenching and Excavation visit our Trenching and Excavation Safety Online Training web page.