# Trenching & Excavation Safety
A trench cave-in can bury a worker in seconds — a cubic yard of soil weighs as much as a car. Excavation has strict rules for good reason.
## Protective systems (generally required at 5 ft deep)
- **Sloping / benching** — cutting the walls back at a safe angle.
- **Shoring** — supports that brace the trench walls.
- **Shielding** — a **trench box** that protects workers inside it.
## Key rules
- A **competent person** must inspect the excavation daily and after any change (rain, vibration).
- Keep the **spoil pile** (excavated dirt) back from the edge.
- Provide a **safe way in and out** (ladder/ramp) within ~25 ft of workers.
- Watch for **water, atmosphere (confined space)**, and nearby loads.
Never enter an unprotected trench — confirm the trigger depth and rules for your job.
**Takeaway:** Never enter an unprotected trench: slope, shore, or shield it, keep spoil back, and have a competent person inspect daily.
> ⚠️ *Educational overview — this is **not** official OSHA certification. Get OSHA 10/30 training from an OSHA-authorized trainer, and always follow your employer's safety program and current OSHA standards (29 CFR 1926 for construction).*
