Installation & Removal of Support

Proper installation of the systems that protect workers in excavations is critical; removal of such systems must also be done skillfully. Follow these OSHA regulations:

• Members of support systems must be securely connected together to prevent sliding, falling, kickouts, or other predictable failure.
• Install and remove support systems in a way that protects employees from cave-ins, structural collapses, or from being struck by members of the support system.
• Individual members of support systems must not be subjected to loads exceeding their design limits.
• Take additional precautions to ensure employee safety before temporary removal of individual members begins, such as installing other structural members to carry the loads imposed on the support system.
• Removal must begin at, and progress from, the bottom of the excavation. Release members slowly, noting any indication of possible failure of the remaining members of the structure or possible cave-in of the sides of the excavation.
• Backfilling must progress together with the removal of support systems from excavations.

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