Excavation Checklist

A trenching and excavation safety check covering protective systems, utilities and access.

Published July 4, 2026

Planning and Utilities

Confirm underground utilities are located, marked and protected before digging.
Verify the utility locating service was contacted within the required window.
Identify overhead power lines and maintain safe clearance distances.
Review soil type and site conditions before selecting a protective system.
Soil classification must be made by the competent person.
Confirm surface encumbrances and structures are supported or removed.
Check the weather forecast and plan for rain or freeze-thaw effects.

Protective Systems

Confirm a protective system is in place for excavations five feet or deeper.
Verify sloping or benching matches the soil classification.
Check that shoring or shielding is installed and rated for the trench.
Confirm trench boxes extend high enough and are used correctly.
Excavations over twenty feet deep require an engineered design.
Verify spoil piles are kept at least two feet from the trench edge.

Competent Person and Inspection

Confirm a competent person is assigned and on site.
Verify daily inspections are completed before each shift.
Check that the excavation is re-inspected after rain, vibration or changes.
Confirm the competent person can stop work and order corrections.
Verify inspections and findings are documented.

Access, Egress and Edge Protection

Confirm a ladder, ramp or steps is within twenty-five feet of workers.
Check that the means of egress is in the protected zone.
Verify barricades and warning signs are posted around the excavation.
Confirm edge protection for adjacent pedestrian and vehicle areas.
Keep equipment and vehicles back from the trench edge.
Check that crossing points over the trench are guarded where used.

Atmosphere and Water Hazards

Test the atmosphere where hazardous gases or low oxygen may exist.
Provide ventilation or controls if a hazardous atmosphere is present.
Confirm water accumulation is controlled with pumps and monitoring.
Verify workers do not enter where water control is inadequate.
Water removal must be monitored by the competent person.
Check for hazardous atmospheres before re-entry after a break.

Workers and Equipment

Confirm workers wear required PPE and high-visibility clothing.
Verify only essential personnel are in or near the excavation.
Check that mobile equipment is kept a safe distance from the edge.
Confirm a rescue and emergency plan is in place for the excavation.
Verify workers are trained on excavation hazards and procedures.
Important: this is general guidance only and does not replace OSHA regulations, engineering design, formal training or your employer's safety program; confirm requirements with a qualified or competent person.

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An excavation checklist is a structured safety review for trenching and excavation work, covering protective systems such as sloping and shoring, the competent person's duties, locating buried utilities, safe access and egress, and atmospheric and edge hazards. It helps confirm a trench is safe before anyone enters.

Trench collapses happen fast and are frequently fatal, but they are also highly preventable. A documented inspection before each shift, and after any change in conditions, is the core safeguard.

This checklist is written for excavation crews, supervisors and safety officers who need a concrete, comprehensive list to support the competent person's daily inspection. It does not replace that person's judgment or the engineering required for protective systems.

Keep a printable copy at the excavation or the PDF on a tablet, run it before entry and after rain, vibration or any change, and log the date, the competent person and any corrective actions.

FAQ

When is a protective system required in a trench?

OSHA generally requires a protective system such as sloping, shoring or shielding for excavations five feet deep or more, and for shallower ones where a competent person sees a cave-in hazard. Trenches over twenty feet require an engineered design.

Who is the competent person on an excavation?

A competent person is someone trained to identify cave-in and other hazards and authorized to take prompt corrective action. They must inspect the excavation daily, before each shift and after any change in conditions.

How do I keep workers safe from buried utilities?

Contact the utility locating service before digging, confirm lines are marked, and dig carefully near marked services. Treat all located and unmarked utilities as live until confirmed otherwise.

How should workers get in and out of a deep trench?

Provide a ladder, ramp or steps within twenty-five feet of any worker in a trench four feet deep or more. The means of egress must be in the protected area of the excavation.

Does this checklist replace OSHA rules or a competent person?

No. It is general guidance and does not replace OSHA regulations, formal training, engineering design, your employer's safety program, or a qualified or competent person. Always confirm the standards that apply to your work.