OSHA recognizes excavating as one of the most hazardous activities of a construction operation. OSHA revised Subpart P-Excavations, of 29 CFR 1926.650, .651, and .652 to make the standard easier to understand, permit the use of performance criteria where possible, and provide construction employers with options when classifying soil and selecting employee protection methods. Excavating and trenching are defined as two separate items within the OSHA regulations. Excavating is any man-made cut, cavity, trench or depression in an earth surface formed by earth removal. Trenching is defined as a narrow excavation (in relation to its length) made below the […]