excavation production

1.2 Excavation Work Categories
In the context of excavation work, safety and shoring are only one
aspect. Excavation work in its entirety is anything involving mechanical
movement of the earth’s surface. Categorically it can be broken
down by sequence of work, as in Fig. 1.1. There are four major categories;
surface work—cut and fill, then construct production work; below
surface work—cut, construct production work, then cover it up; mining
and tunneling—cut then restore; and agricultural—cut, plow, and
plant. A single project usually can originate in any one of these categories
and involve all of them. There are unique safety issues associated
with each category. This book focuses on excavation and safety
issues surrounding below surface work.
Below surface work is the category of excavation work that OSHA
Subpart P was written for. In 1926.650(a) OSHA states the scope and
application. This subpart applies to all open excavations made in the
earth’s surface. Excavations are defined to include trenches.
OSHA 1926.651 applies to general excavation safety; however, 9 of
12 citations apply to work that involves excavated holes or trenches.
Only three citations—Exposure to Vehicular Traffic, Exposure to Falling
Loads, and Warning Systems for Mobile Equipment—apply to general
excavation work. OSHA 1926.652 and all the remaining appendices
apply to worker protection from cave-in. The entire 29 CFR Part 1926
Safety and Health Regulations for Construction apply to all construction
operations; however, OSHA Subpart P is specific to when
excavation work causes there to be a hole in the ground.





From the handbook of excavation systems.