Before you put the first shovel in the ground, there’s a whole checklist of safety measures you need to complete. Let’s be real – trenches and excavation work are dangerous. Cave-ins can happen in seconds, and they’re often fatal.

So what do you need to do before breaking ground? I’m going to walk you through the must-do safety steps that can literally save lives (and keep OSHA off your back).

What You Need to Do Before Starting Any Excavation

You’ve got your project lined up, equipment ready to go, but hold up. Preparation is everything when it comes to digging safely. Skip these steps and you might end up with a disaster on your hands.

Call Before You Dig (Seriously, It’s The Law)

You know what’s worse than hitting a water line? Hitting a gas line or power cable.

You absolutely must locate and mark all underground utilities before you start digging. This isn’t just good practice – it’s required by law.

Call 811 (the national “Call Before You Dig” number) at least 2-3 business days before your project starts. They’ll coordinate with local utility companies to mark your dig site for free.

Remember:

• Different colored markings indicate different types of utilities
• Even if you’ve dug in the area before, call again
• Don’t assume you know what’s underground

If you strike a utility line, you could cause:

• Power outages
• Gas leaks and explosions
• Water main breaks
• Disruption to emergency communications
• Expensive repairs (that will come out of YOUR pocket)

When in doubt, use safe hand-digging practices near marked utilities rather than mechanical equipment.

Choose the Right Protection System (Or Face The Consequences)

Cave-ins are the #1 killer in excavation work. Soil is deceptively heavy – just one cubic yard can weigh as much as a car. When it collapses, workers have zero chance to escape.

You need to implement one of these protective systems:

• Sloping: Cutting back the trench wall at an angle
• Benching: Creating steps in the excavation wall
• Shoring: Installing supports to brace the walls
• Shielding: Using trench boxes to protect workers

Your choice depends on:

• Soil type and condition
• Excavation depth and width
• Weather conditions
• Nearby activities creating vibrations
• Water conditions

For excavations deeper than 20 feet or with unusual conditions, you’ll need a registered professional engineer to design your protective system.

Don’t skimp here. The slight delay in setting up proper protection is nothing compared to the consequences of a collapse.

Appoint a “Competent Person” (And Make Sure They’re Actually Competent)

OSHA requires a “competent person” on site for all excavation work. But what does that actually mean?

A competent person must:

• Identify existing and predictable hazards
• Have the authority to take prompt corrective measures
• Understand soil classification and testing
• Know protective system requirements
• Conduct daily inspections before each shift

This isn’t just a title you give to your most senior worker. They need proper training and experience to identify dangerous conditions.

Your competent person needs to inspect the excavation:

• Before work begins each day
• After rainstorms
• After any event that could increase hazards
• As needed throughout the shift

If they spot something unsafe, work stops until the issue is fixed. Period.

Prepare the Site (And Keep It Prepared)

Before digging starts, you need to create a safe work environment all around the excavation site.

Start with:

• Removing or supporting any surface obstacles that could fall in
• Keeping spoil piles (excavated dirt) at least 2 feet from trench edges
• Setting up barriers and warning signs
• Planning safe entry and exit routes

Remember that the area around your excavation is just as important as the hole itself. Proper site preparation prevents many common accidents.

Test the Air (Because You Can’t See What Can Kill You)

For trenches deeper than 4 feet, you need to test the atmosphere.

Dangerous gases can accumulate in trenches, including:

• Carbon monoxide from equipment
• Hydrogen sulfide from sewers
• Methane from decaying organic matter
• Low oxygen levels

These hazards are invisible and often odorless. You must:

• Test before workers enter
• Continue testing throughout the workday
• Provide ventilation if hazardous atmospheres are detected
• Have emergency rescue equipment readily available

Workers should never enter a trench with a hazardous atmosphere unless properly protected with appropriate respiratory equipment.

Establish Safe Work Practices (And Actually Follow Them)

All the preparation in the world won’t help if your workers don’t follow safe practices. Make these rules non-negotiable:

• No workers under suspended loads
• Keep heavy equipment away from trench edges
• Use hand tools when digging around utilities
• Wear appropriate PPE at all times
• Maintain constant communication
• Know the emergency response plan

Train your workers on these practices before the project begins, and reinforce them daily.

Have an Emergency Plan Ready (Because Seconds Count)

When a trench collapses, you have minutes – sometimes seconds – to respond. Your emergency plan needs to be solid:

• Ensure safe exit routes (ladders, ramps, etc.) spaced properly
• Train workers on emergency procedures
• Have rescue equipment immediately available
• Know who to call and how to direct emergency services to your site
• Practice your response plan regularly

Don’t wait until something goes wrong to figure out what to do. By then, it’s too late.

Document Everything (Cover Your Bases)

Maintain written records of:

• Daily inspections
• Training completed
• Hazard assessments
• Protective measures implemented
• Emergency plans

These records aren’t just for regulatory compliance – they help you track your safety progress and identify areas for improvement.

The excavation industry has come a long way with safety, and there are now excellent digital tools for tracking compliance. Use them.

Remember: excavation safety isn’t just about checking boxes. It’s about sending everyone home safely at the end of each day. The extra time spent on preparation can literally save lives.

So before you dig, make sure you’ve dug into these safety requirements first. Your workers, their families, and your business will thank you.