| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess work area | Traffic exposure, unstable ground, overhead lines, pedestrians | Conduct site walk; set up MUTCD compliant traffic control; identify safest equipment staging area |
| Identify and locate utilities | Striking gas, electric, fiber, sewer lines | Call in utility locates; hand dig near markings; expose utilities cautiously; maintain safe separation |
| Inspect equipment and tools | Faulty hydraulics, broken buckets, worn cutting tools | Perform pre operation inspection on excavator, pumps, and tools; remove defective equipment from service |
| Don required PPE | Flying debris, heavy equipment hazards | Wear high visibility vest, hard hat, gloves, steel toe boots, and safety glasses |
| Establish excavation zone | Cave in hazards, unauthorized entry | Mark exclusion zone; keep public and non essential workers out; position equipment to avoid overhead lines |
| Begin excavation | Equipment strikes worker, falling spoil piles, unstable edges | Use trained operator; maintain clear communication; place spoil piles at least two feet from trench edge |
| Expose water main slowly | Equipment contact with pipe, sudden water release | Use smaller bucket or hand dig near pipe; avoid striking the main; prepare for unexpected water flow |
| Dewater excavation | Slips, pump hazards, contamination | Use pump with sediment control; secure hoses; maintain stable footing; do not step into active suction area |
| Install trench box or shoring | Collapse hazard, pinch points | Place shoring before workers enter trench; keep workers out during placement; use proper lifting methods |
| Access trench safely | Falls, ladder failure, slipping | Use secured ladder extending above trench edge; inspect ladder before use; maintain three points of contact |
| Cut or expose damaged water main | Flying chips, water burst, sharp pipe edges | Relieve pressure first; use face shield; stand to the side of potential water discharge path |
| Repair or replace pipe section | Pinch points, heavy components, tool slip | Use appropriate couplings and clamps; lift pipe with straps, not hands; maintain firm footing |
| Control water flow | Unexpected surge, erosion in trench | Use valves or external clamps; communicate before flow changes; keep workers out of water discharge path |
| Backfill and compact trench | Struck by bucket, moving machinery | Keep workers out of excavation during backfill; compact soil in lifts; monitor trench stability |
| Restore site | Trip hazards, debris | Remove spoil piles; smooth surface; restore pavement or shoulder as required |
| Final inspection | Leaks, loose fittings, unstable ground | Check repaired section for leaks; ensure valves operate; verify trench is properly restored |
| Remove traffic control | Worker exposure to traffic | Remove devices in reverse order; maintain lookout; wear PPE until completely clear |
Hard hat
Safety glasses or face shield
High visibility vest or jacket (Class 3 if roadside)
Steel toe boots
Cut resistant gloves
Long pants and long sleeves
Hearing protection around equipment
Respirator if dust or contaminated soil is present
Waterproof boots if water is expected
Always have a complete, well-stocked first aid kit available.
JSA Category: Stormwater, Drainage, and Waterways
* The steps, hazards, and controls displayed above may be incomplete or not suit your department's needs. All job safety analyses should be a completed with frontline worker input to ensure that each potential hazard is identified and mitigated.
Please read about The Essentials Elements of a Solid Job Safety Anaylsis here.
Thank you to our primary sponsor, Roadwurx, which is a simple asset management platform for small public works and road departments.
| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess work area | Traffic exposure, unstable ground, overhead lines, pedestrians | Conduct site walk; set up MUTCD compliant traffic control; identify safest equipment staging area |
| Identify and locate utilities | Striking gas, electric, fiber, sewer lines | Call in utility locates; hand dig near markings; expose utilities cautiously; maintain safe separation |
| Inspect equipment and tools | Faulty hydraulics, broken buckets, worn cutting tools | Perform pre operation inspection on excavator, pumps, and tools; remove defective equipment from service |
| Don required PPE | Flying debris, heavy equipment hazards | Wear high visibility vest, hard hat, gloves, steel toe boots, and safety glasses |
| Establish excavation zone | Cave in hazards, unauthorized entry | Mark exclusion zone; keep public and non essential workers out; position equipment to avoid overhead lines |
| Begin excavation | Equipment strikes worker, falling spoil piles, unstable edges | Use trained operator; maintain clear communication; place spoil piles at least two feet from trench edge |
| Expose water main slowly | Equipment contact with pipe, sudden water release | Use smaller bucket or hand dig near pipe; avoid striking the main; prepare for unexpected water flow |
| Dewater excavation | Slips, pump hazards, contamination | Use pump with sediment control; secure hoses; maintain stable footing; do not step into active suction area |
| Install trench box or shoring | Collapse hazard, pinch points | Place shoring before workers enter trench; keep workers out during placement; use proper lifting methods |
| Access trench safely | Falls, ladder failure, slipping | Use secured ladder extending above trench edge; inspect ladder before use; maintain three points of contact |
| Cut or expose damaged water main | Flying chips, water burst, sharp pipe edges | Relieve pressure first; use face shield; stand to the side of potential water discharge path |
| Repair or replace pipe section | Pinch points, heavy components, tool slip | Use appropriate couplings and clamps; lift pipe with straps, not hands; maintain firm footing |
| Control water flow | Unexpected surge, erosion in trench | Use valves or external clamps; communicate before flow changes; keep workers out of water discharge path |
| Backfill and compact trench | Struck by bucket, moving machinery | Keep workers out of excavation during backfill; compact soil in lifts; monitor trench stability |
| Restore site | Trip hazards, debris | Remove spoil piles; smooth surface; restore pavement or shoulder as required |
| Final inspection | Leaks, loose fittings, unstable ground | Check repaired section for leaks; ensure valves operate; verify trench is properly restored |
| Remove traffic control | Worker exposure to traffic | Remove devices in reverse order; maintain lookout; wear PPE until completely clear |
Hard hat
Safety glasses or face shield
High visibility vest or jacket (Class 3 if roadside)
Steel toe boots
Cut resistant gloves
Long pants and long sleeves
Hearing protection around equipment
Respirator if dust or contaminated soil is present
Waterproof boots if water is expected