Excavations (Design of Cave-in Protection Systems); Extension of the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Approval of Information Collection (Paperwork) Requirements

  • Publication Date:
  • Publication Type:
  • Fed Register #:
    85:67013-67015
  • Title:
    Excavations (Design of Cave-in Protection Systems); Extension of the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Approval of Information Collection (Paperwork) Requirements 
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 204 (Wednesday, October 21, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67013-67015]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-23266]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

[Docket No.

Trench shield must extend 18" above excavation walls when below grade.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

August 10, 2000 [Reviewed May 31, 2018]

Mr. Michael W. West
Director of Engineering and Materials Management
Efficiency Production, Inc.
685 Hull Road
Mason, Michigan 48854

Dear Mr. West:

This is in response to your letter of December 7, 1999, in which you request that we provide an interpretation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) standards for excavations. We apologize for the delay in providing this response.

Requirements to prevent trench collapse during sheet-pile operations.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

October 17, 2000

Mr. Charles Walling
Hawkins Construction Company
P.O. Box 9008, Station C
Omaha, NE 68109

RE: 1926.603(c)(3), 1926.650, 1926.651(g), 1926.651(j)(1), (j)(2), 1926.652, 1926.652(b)(1)(i) & (b)(1)(ii), angle of repose, maximum allowable slope, minimum sheet-pile height above grade, benching

Dear Mr. Walling:

Registered professional engineer approval requirements for manufactured trench protection systems deeper than 20 feet.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

January 16, 2003 [Reviewed May 31, 2018]

John M. Maas
2304 Bel-Aire Court
Green Bay, WI 53404-5017

Re: Whether an excavation contractor is required to get the approval of a registered professional engineer when using a manufactured trench protection system under §1926.652(c)(2); Subpart P; excavations; registered professional engineers; trench shields

Dear Mr. Maas:

Registered professional engineer approval requirements for combination trench shield and sloping system trenches with a depth greater than 20 feet.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

December 22, 2003 [Reviewed May 31, 2018]

Mr. David V. Dow
Trench Safety and Supply, Inc.
3000 Ferrell Park Cove
Memphis, TN 38116

Re: Whether a sloping system used in conjunction with trench shields in an excavation that exceeds 20 feet in depth must be approved by a registered professional engineer; whether that engineer must be registered in the state where the excavation work is taking place.

Dear Mr. Dow:

Permissibility of using average excavation depth to determine protective system requirements for the excavation.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

September 30, 2004 [Reviewed May 31, 2018]

Mr. Richard Johnston
Director of Loss
Hausmann Johnson Insurance
700 Regent Street
P.O. Box 259408
Madison, WI 53725-9408

Re: 29 CFR 1926.652(a)(1)(ii); whether averaging excavation depth is permitted for determining whether the protective requirements of §1926.652 apply.

Dear Mr. Johnston:

Can a person who qualifies as a "competent" person under one section of support P also qualify as a competent designer of structural ramps under 1926.651(c)(1)(i)?.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

July 1, 2010

Letter #20090311-8915

Re:  Various interpretation questions regarding 1926.651(c).

Question #1:  Can a person who qualifies as a "competent" person under one section of subpart P also qualify as a competent designer of structural ramps under §1926.651(c)(1)(i)?

Protective system requirements for excavations that will not be entered by employees.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

October 13, 2009 [Reviewed November 8, 2018]

Letter #20080926-8688

Re: Protective system requirements for excavations that will not be entered by employees.

Question: Are shoring or other protective systems required under 29 CFR 1926.652 for test pits that will not be entered by employees?

Answer: 29 CFR 1926.652(a)(l) states, in part:

Excavations (Design of Cave-In Protection Systems); Extension of the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Approval of Information Collection (Paperwork) Requirements

  • Publication Date:
  • Publication Type:
  • Fed Register #:
    79:44199-44201
  • Title:
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 146 (Wednesday, July 30, 2014)][Notices][Pages 44199-44201]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-17958]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

[Docket No.

Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Excavation Cave-in Protection System Design Standard

  • Publication Date:
  • Publication Type:
  • Fed Register #:
    79:65704-65705
  • Title:
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 214 (Wednesday, November 5, 2014)][Notices][Pages 65704-65705]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-26215]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request; Excavation Cave-in Protection System Design 
Standard

ACTION: Notice.

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