Each year excavation and trenching cave-ins cause thousands of injuries and deaths. More injuries and fatalities occur from hazardous atmospheres in the trench, being struck-by equipment operating in and around the excavation, falling loads or spoil piles, and tripping and falling on materials in the dig. EXCAVATION HAZARDS

1. Soil Type: There are four general types of soil to be aware of:

• Hard, very dense, with little natural moisture, high internal strength. Excavation usually requires mechanical equipment.
• Very stiff and dense, with low-to-medium moisture content, medium internal strength.
• Stiff to firm and compact to loose, with low degree of internal strength.
• Soft […]

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