| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess work area | Traffic exposure, unstable soil, overhead lines, pedestrian hazards | Conduct full site walk; verify utility locates; establish MUTCD compliant traffic control; designate staging areas |
| Inspect tools and equipment | Damaged ladders, worn shoring, faulty hydraulic components | Inspect trench boxes, hydraulic shores, pumps, and ladders; replace defective items immediately |
| Don required PPE | Struck by debris, falling objects, equipment noise | Wear hard hat, high visibility vest, gloves, safety glasses, boots, and hearing protection |
| Perform utility locating and marking | Striking gas, electric, sewer, telecom lines | Call in locates; hand dig within tolerance zones; maintain constant awareness of markings |
| Establish excavation limits | Cave in hazard, unstable ground | Determine trench width and depth; plan spoil pile placement; maintain at least two feet between spoil pile and trench |
| Begin excavation | Equipment striking workers, collapsing banks | Only trained operators may excavate; keep workers outside swing radius; excavate using gradual benching if required |
| Determine soil classification | Wrong shoring type, unexpected collapse | Identify soil type (A, B, or C); adjust protective system accordingly; treat unknown or saturated soil as worst case |
| Install shoring or trench box | Collapse hazard, struck by shoring components | Lower trench box or shoring into trench using equipment; keep workers out until it is secure; use taglines if needed |
| Provide safe access and egress | Falls, ladder failure, trapped workers | Place ladders within the trench box; ensure ladders extend above trench edge; maintain three points of contact |
| Enter trench safely | Collapse risk, falling tools | Only enter after shoring is verified; keep tools secure; maintain communication with attendant at surface |
| Perform work inside trench | Restricted movement, pinch points, water intrusion | Keep work organized; stay inside protective system; monitor for leaks or shifting soil; exit if conditions change |
| Manage water intrusion | Slips, soil weakening, pump hazards | Use dewatering pumps; place hoses securely; monitor for soil softening or uplift |
| Watch for signs of soil movement | Cracking, sloughing, vibration related failure | Inspect trench frequently; stop work and evacuate if soil shows movement or trench walls shift |
| Adjust or move shoring as trench progresses | Collapse risk, equipment contact | Exit trench before moving trench box; reposition with excavator; reenter only once stable |
| Backfill and compact trench | Struck by equipment, unstable footing | Keep workers clear during backfill; compact in lifts; maintain communication with equipment operator |
| Final inspection | Remaining hazards, unstable soil, improper restoration | Inspect trench area, surface restoration, and utility exposure; confirm the site is safe and stable |
| Remove traffic control | Exposure to live traffic | Take down signs and cones in reverse order; wear high visibility PPE; maintain lookout |
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 near equipment
Respirator if working in dusty or contaminated soil environments
Always have a complete, well-stocked first aid kit available.
JSA Category: Water and Sewer Department Operations
* 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 soil, overhead lines, pedestrian hazards | Conduct full site walk; verify utility locates; establish MUTCD compliant traffic control; designate staging areas |
| Inspect tools and equipment | Damaged ladders, worn shoring, faulty hydraulic components | Inspect trench boxes, hydraulic shores, pumps, and ladders; replace defective items immediately |
| Don required PPE | Struck by debris, falling objects, equipment noise | Wear hard hat, high visibility vest, gloves, safety glasses, boots, and hearing protection |
| Perform utility locating and marking | Striking gas, electric, sewer, telecom lines | Call in locates; hand dig within tolerance zones; maintain constant awareness of markings |
| Establish excavation limits | Cave in hazard, unstable ground | Determine trench width and depth; plan spoil pile placement; maintain at least two feet between spoil pile and trench |
| Begin excavation | Equipment striking workers, collapsing banks | Only trained operators may excavate; keep workers outside swing radius; excavate using gradual benching if required |
| Determine soil classification | Wrong shoring type, unexpected collapse | Identify soil type (A, B, or C); adjust protective system accordingly; treat unknown or saturated soil as worst case |
| Install shoring or trench box | Collapse hazard, struck by shoring components | Lower trench box or shoring into trench using equipment; keep workers out until it is secure; use taglines if needed |
| Provide safe access and egress | Falls, ladder failure, trapped workers | Place ladders within the trench box; ensure ladders extend above trench edge; maintain three points of contact |
| Enter trench safely | Collapse risk, falling tools | Only enter after shoring is verified; keep tools secure; maintain communication with attendant at surface |
| Perform work inside trench | Restricted movement, pinch points, water intrusion | Keep work organized; stay inside protective system; monitor for leaks or shifting soil; exit if conditions change |
| Manage water intrusion | Slips, soil weakening, pump hazards | Use dewatering pumps; place hoses securely; monitor for soil softening or uplift |
| Watch for signs of soil movement | Cracking, sloughing, vibration related failure | Inspect trench frequently; stop work and evacuate if soil shows movement or trench walls shift |
| Adjust or move shoring as trench progresses | Collapse risk, equipment contact | Exit trench before moving trench box; reposition with excavator; reenter only once stable |
| Backfill and compact trench | Struck by equipment, unstable footing | Keep workers clear during backfill; compact in lifts; maintain communication with equipment operator |
| Final inspection | Remaining hazards, unstable soil, improper restoration | Inspect trench area, surface restoration, and utility exposure; confirm the site is safe and stable |
| Remove traffic control | Exposure to live traffic | Take down signs and cones in reverse order; wear high visibility PPE; maintain lookout |
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 near equipment
Respirator if working in dusty or contaminated soil environments