R 408.40932 Excavation; consideration of soil types; water; slide hazards.

Rule 932. (1) If different textured soils are encountered in the side of an excavation, each soil type of the excavation shall be cut to the proper angle of repose, except that the slope shall not steepen between the toe of the slope and the ground level where soft clay or running soil is encountered in the lower cut. (2) An employee shall not work in an excavation in which there is accumulated water or in which water is accumulating unless precautions have been taken to protect employees against the hazards posed by water accumulation. The precautions necessary to protect employees adequately vary with each situation, but may include special support or shield systems to protect from cave-ins, water removal to control the level of accumulating water, or the use of a safety harness and lifeline. (3) If water is controlled or prevented from accumulating by the use of water removal equipment, the water removal equipment and operation shall be monitored by a competent person or a monitoring system to ensure that the equipment is properly operated. (4) An ongoing inspection of an excavation or trench shall be made by a competent person. After every rainstorm or other hazard-producing occurrence, an inspection shall be made by a competent person for evidence of possible slides or cave-ins. Where these conditions are found, all work shall cease until additional precautions, such as additional shoring or reducing the slope, have been accomplished. (5) When installed forms, walls, or similar structures create a trench between the form, wall, or structure and the side of the excavation, an employer shall comply with the provisions of R 408.40941 to R 408.40944.