Excavation and trenching are extremely hazardous operations that expose workers to the possibility of serious injury or death. The greatest hazard associated with trenching is the cave-in of the surrounding soil on workers in the trench, the result often being fatal. Other hazards involved in trenching include falls, confined spaces, and exposure to underground utilities such as gas, steam and electricity. Employees involved in excavation operations should be knowledgeable about how to minimize these hazards. This is based upon OSHA's Excavation Requirements standard (29 CFR 1926.651)
To view your department's confined space program, visit UK Safety Sites.