BEFORE TRENCHING WORK BEGINS: 

• Check soil conditions or other material to be excavated. 

• Check proximity to utilities, buildings and sources of vibrations 

• Check with owners of utilities, service or transmission piping, etc., and arrange shutdown or relocation of facilities if necessary. 

• Call Digsafe or your local State authority to arrange for marking the location of underground utilities. 

• Check for the location of overhead hazards and power lines. Check for previously disturbed soil. 

• Check for trees, boulders or other hazards. 

• Check adequacy and availability of all equipment, including personal protective gear, shoring materials, signs, barricades and machinery. 

DURING THE TRENCHING OPERATION: 

• Check for changing ground conditions particularly after rains. 

• Check for possible oxygen deficiency or gaseous conditions. 

• Check adequacy of shoring and or sloping as work progresses. 

• Check for maintenance of entrance and exit methods. 

• Check all sheeting, bracing, shoring and underpinning. 

• Check for changes in vehicular and machinery operational patterns. 

AFTER THE TRENCH IS OPEN AND WORK IS UNDERWAY: 

• Check sloping of banks, sides and walls in relation to depth of cut, water content of soil and vibration. 

• Check entrance and exit methods (no more than 25 feet to a ladder). 

• Check location for operation of heavy equipment, loaders, track hoes, and dump trucks. 

• Check that excavated material is two feet or more from the edge of the opening. 

• Check the adequacy of portable trench boxes or trench shields, if used. 

• Check for correct positioning of cross braces or trench jacks to prevent sliding, falling or kickouts.