[PRE TASK PLAN TITLE]

Project: [PROJECT NAME]

Date: 2026-08-26

Location: [LOCATION]

Supervisor: [SUPERVISOR NAME]

Task Overview

This pre-task plan covers excavation and trenching activities associated with utility installation, repair, inspection, or similar earthwork operations. The scope includes utility locating and verification, soil classification, selection and installation of trench protective systems, spoil pile management, safe access and egress, atmospheric awareness, competent person inspections, and worker protection from cave-ins, falling loads, mobile equipment, and water intrusion. Work shall not begin until the excavation has been evaluated, hazards have been controlled, and required protective measures are in place. [1] [2] [6]

Expected Duration: Duration to be determined by site conditions and excavation depth.

Number of Workers: Crew size to be determined by the work assignment and site conditions.

Required PPE and Equipment

Personal Protective Equipment

• Hard Hat: Wear a properly fitted hard hat at all times in and around the excavation to protect against falling soil, tools, and materials. Inspect the shell and suspension before use and replace damaged equipment immediately. [9]
  • Use a chin strap if required by site conditions or wind exposure.
  • Keep the suspension adjusted for a secure fit.
• High-Visibility Apparel: Wear high-visibility vest or clothing when exposed to vehicular traffic or mobile earth-moving equipment so operators can clearly see workers near the excavation. [2] [5]
  • Select apparel suitable for the traffic exposure level.
  • Keep garments clean and unobstructed so visibility is not reduced.
• Safety Boots: Wear sturdy, slip-resistant safety boots with toe protection and puncture-resistant soles where required. Footwear should provide traction on uneven, muddy, or wet ground around the trench.
  • Keep laces secured and soles free of mud.
  • Replace worn or damaged boots that reduce traction or protection.
• Gloves: Wear work gloves appropriate to the task to protect hands from sharp edges, rough materials, and contact with soil, pipe, or trench protection components.
  • Use cut-resistant gloves when handling sharp materials.
  • Select gloves that still allow safe grip and dexterity.
• Eye Protection: Wear safety glasses or goggles when there is a risk of flying debris, dust, splashing water, or soil particles during excavation, shoring, or backfilling activities.
  • Use side shields or sealed goggles when dust or splash exposure is elevated.
  • Keep lenses clean to maintain visibility.
• Respiratory Protection or Atmospheric Protection as Required: If atmospheric testing identifies low oxygen, hazardous fumes, or toxic gases, use only the respiratory protection or ventilation controls specified by the site program and competent person. Do not enter a trench with a suspected hazardous atmosphere without authorization and controls in place. [13]
  • Use only equipment approved by the site respiratory protection program.
  • Ensure workers are trained and medically cleared where required.

Tools and Equipment

• Excavation Protective System: Use sloping, shoring, shielding, or a combination of approved protective systems based on soil type, depth, water conditions, weather, and nearby loads. Protective systems must be selected and installed before workers enter the trench. [8] [2]
  • Do not enter an unprotected trench.
  • Verify the system matches the actual site conditions and excavation depth.
• Ladders, Ramps, or Stairways: Provide safe access and egress for all trench excavations 4 feet or deeper. Place ladders or other approved means of exit so workers do not have to travel more than 25 feet laterally to reach them. [1] [4]
  • Secure ladders against movement.
  • Extend ladders at least 3 feet above the landing where applicable.
  • Keep access points clear of spoil and equipment.
• Utility Locating Equipment and Marking Devices: Use utility locate information, marking paint, flags, and detection equipment as needed to verify underground services before and during excavation. Expose utilities by safe, controlled methods when approaching marked lines. [7] [8]
  • Call 811 or the local one-call system before digging.
  • Confirm utility marks are current before excavation begins.
  • Use hand digging or other safe methods near known utilities.
• Atmospheric Testing and Rescue Equipment: Use calibrated gas monitoring equipment to test for oxygen deficiency and hazardous atmospheres where required. Keep rescue equipment available when hazardous atmospheric conditions are possible, including breathing apparatus, safety harness and line, or a basket stretcher. [13] [13]
  • Test before entry and as conditions change.
  • Assign a trained attendant when rescue equipment is in use.
  • Do not rely on smell alone to detect hazards.
• Barricades, Warning Devices, and Traffic Control Devices: Use barricades, fencing, signage, stop logs, spotters, and traffic channeling devices to keep people and vehicles away from the excavation edge and to control mobile equipment movement near the work zone. [10] [14]
  • Install barriers around open excavations.
  • Use a spotter when equipment operates near trench edges.
  • Maintain clear warning signs and lighting where needed.

Hazard Analysis

Identified Hazards

Control Measures

• Select sloping, shoring, or shielding based on soil classification, depth, water conditions, weather, and nearby loads. For deeper excavations, ensure the system is designed or approved by a registered professional engineer where required.: Use an appropriate protective system before any worker enters the trench. [2] [8]
• Remove workers from the trench if hazardous conditions are found until corrective actions are completed and the excavation is re-evaluated.: Have a competent person inspect the excavation before work starts, daily, and after any condition change such as rain, water intrusion, vibration, or shifting soil. [2] [6]
• Use 811 or the local one-call system, notify utility owners, and use safe exposure methods when approaching marked lines. Support, protect, or remove utilities only under approved procedures.: Locate and verify underground utilities before digging and continue to protect exposed utilities during excavation. [7] [8]
• Keep the edge clear of surcharge loads and do not park heavy equipment near the excavation. Reposition materials immediately if they migrate toward the edge.: Maintain spoil piles, materials, and equipment at least 2 feet from the trench edge unless a site-specific engineered retaining method is used. [3] [14]
• Install ladders, ramps, or stairways within 25 feet of lateral travel and keep them secured, unobstructed, and in good condition. Do not allow workers to jump into or out of the trench.: Provide safe access and egress for all workers in trenches 4 feet or deeper. [1] [4]
• Use calibrated gas testing equipment for oxygen deficiency, toxic gases, and hazardous fumes where conditions warrant. If hazards are present or expected, implement ventilation, respiratory protection, and rescue readiness.: Test for atmospheric hazards before entry and monitor as conditions change. [13]
• Use pumps, diversion ditches, dikes, or other drainage controls as needed. Monitor water removal operations by a competent person and stop work if the trench becomes unstable.: Control water intrusion and remove standing water before allowing workers to enter the trench. [13] [4]
• Use barricades, signage, spotters, and high-visibility apparel to separate workers from moving equipment and public traffic. Keep nonessential personnel out of the work zone.: Establish traffic control and exclusion zones around the excavation. [10] [14]

Emergency Procedures

Emergency Contact Information

• Site Emergency: Site emergency number or radio channel to be filled in by the site.
• First Aid: Designated first aid responder or on-site medical response contact to be filled in by the site.
• Supervisor: Immediate supervisor or competent person contact to be filled in by the site.

Emergency Response Steps

1. Stop work immediately and alert all personnel if a cave-in, utility strike, hazardous atmosphere, water intrusion, or other emergency condition occurs.
2. Evacuate the trench and move all workers to a safe location away from the excavation edge and any mobile equipment.
3. Contact site emergency response and first aid resources, and summon external emergency services if needed.
4. Do not re-enter the excavation until the competent person has evaluated the scene and declared it safe, and all required controls have been restored.
5. If a utility is damaged, keep personnel clear of the area, isolate ignition sources if safe to do so, and follow the utility emergency procedure.

Evacuation Routes

Use the nearest safe ladder, ramp, stairway, or other approved access route to exit the trench. Primary evacuation should move workers away from the trench edge and equipment travel paths; secondary evacuation should use the alternate access point or the safest available route identified during the pre-task briefing.

Assemble at the designated site muster point outside the excavation exclusion zone and away from traffic, spoil piles, and overhead or underground utility hazards. [1] [10]

Required Permits and Certifications

• Excavation permit or site-specific excavation authorization, where required by the employer or jurisdiction.
• Confined space entry permit if the trench or excavation meets confined space criteria or contains a hazardous atmosphere.
• Competent person designation for excavation and trenching oversight, including authority to stop work and correct hazards.
• Operator qualifications or certifications for excavators, loaders, and other heavy equipment used at the site.
• Utility locate clearance or one-call confirmation before excavation begins.

Additional Safety Considerations

• Do not allow workers to enter an unprotected trench. If protective systems are missing, damaged, or not suited to the soil and depth, stop work and correct the condition before entry.
• Account for weather, vibration, nearby structures, and changing soil conditions throughout the shift. Reassess the excavation after rain, thaw, runoff, or nearby equipment movement.
• Maintain good housekeeping around the excavation, including clear walkways, organized materials, and unobstructed access to ladders and emergency equipment.
• Provide worker briefing and training on soil hazards, cave-in warning signs, utility strike prevention, emergency actions, and the limits of the protective system in use.

Pre-Task Plan Verification

By signing below, you acknowledge that you have reviewed and understand this pre-task safety plan:

Supervisor: _________________________ Date: __________

Safety Representative: _________________________ Date: __________

Workers:

1. Name: _________________________ Signature: _________________________ Date: __________
2. Name: _________________________ Signature: _________________________ Date: __________
3. Name: _________________________ Signature: _________________________ Date: __________

This pre-task plan must be reviewed and updated if conditions or scope of work changes.

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