Does OSHA require employees to receive excavation safety training?
Yes. Excavation safety training is mandatory per OSHA regulations.
Which employees are required to receive excavation safety training per OSHA regulations?
OSHA requires that a qualified person be onsite on a daily basis to inspect site conditions and ensure that the hazards associated with excavations are minimized before employees begin work. This person must be knowledgeable as to the hazardous conditions and atmospheres and respective indications of such hazards in the excavation site, and must ensure employee safety by immediately removing exposed employees from situations that indicate any such risk (i.e. cave-ins, failure of protective systems, etc.). More specifically, OSHA defined such a competent person as "one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them", as quoted from 1926.32(f).
How often is refresher excavation safety training required?
Refresher training should be provided as often as necessary. In 1926.21, OSHA states that: "The employer shall instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to his/her work environment to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury."
Does OSHA require specific topics to be covered in excavation safety training?
Yes. These topics include: potential hazards in trenching and excavation work, the four types of trench collapses (and causes), information on soil (testing and types), trench protection systems, and general regulations and procedures for trenching and excavation.
How often must on-site inspections be conducted?
In 1926.651(k)(1), OSHA mandates that a competent person must perform daily inspections of excavations as well as of the surrounding area and of the protective systems. Inspections are crucial in determining potential hazards, as the competent person seeks "evidence of a situation that could result in possible cave-ins, indications of failure of protective systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions." Inspections should be conducted before the employees begin working and then on an as-needed basis throughout the shift. It is furthermore recommended that additional inspections take place after a rainstorm "or other hazard increasing occurance".
Trenching and Shoring Training Videos - Sample Clip
DVD cost effectively trains and retrains an unlimited amount of employees.
No trainer required, just pop in and play.
Video content keeps trainees engaged.
Very convenient, multiple employees don’t need to be pulled off the floor at once for a training session.
Includes both video content and an interactive quiz element to keep workers engaged.
More engaging than traditional training formats.
Can be customized to fit a companies specific work environment and equipment.
The only training option that can cover the "hands on" and "evaluation" portions of the training in addition to the "classroom" portion of the training.
CONS
Can be difficult to pull multiple workers off the floor at once to watch the video.
The DVD can get lost or scratched.
DVD can only train workers at a single location.
Due to the per person pricing format, it’s expensive for large companies that need to train hundreds or thousands of employees.
By far the most expensive training medium.
Administering refresher training as well as initial training for new employees can be a logistical nightmare.
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