Actual slope means the slope to which an excavation face is excavated. Distress means that the soil is in a condition where a cave-in is imminent or is likely to occur.

OSHA is focusing on reducing trenching and excavation hazards. Trench collapses, or cave-ins, pose the greatest risk to workers' lives. To prevent cave-ins: SLOPE or bench trench walls; …

Trench collapses, or cave-ins, pose the greatest risk to workers lives. When done safely, trenching operations can reduce worker exposure to other potential hazards include falls, …

than 1½:1 (for every foot of depth, the trench must be excavated back 1½ feet). A slope of this gradation is safe for any type of soil. Figure 1. Slope of 1½:1 Designing a sloping and …

5) Material in a sloped, layered system where the layers dip into the excavation or a slope of four horizontal to one vertical (4H:1V) or steeper. TRENCH/EXCAVATION

Trench Boxes are different from shoring because, instead of shoring up or otherwise supporting the trench face, they are intended primarily to protect workers from cave-ins and similar …

• SLOPE or bench trench walls by cutting back the trench wall at an angle inclined away from the excavation. • SHORE trench walls by installing aluminum hydraulic or other types of supports …

A stairway, ladder, ramp or other safe means of egress shall be located in trench excavations that are 4 feet (1.22 m) or more in depth so as to require no more than 25 feet (7.62 m) of lateral …

The references on this page provide information related to trenching and excavation in construction including OSHA's trenching and excavation construction regulations, hazard …

Sloping protects workers by cutting back the sides of the trench so the sides slant away from the trench. OSHA's rules identify the degree of slope allowed for each of the different soil types. …