When conducting excavation work, it is crucial to adhere to specific safety regulations to ensure the safety of all workers involved. Here are some key safety requirements and best practices for excavation:

1. Protective Systems: Employees in excavations must be protected from cave-ins by an adequate protective system unless the excavation is in stable rock or less than 5 feet deep with no cave-in risk as determined by a competent person [1].

2. Water Accumulation: Employees should not work in excavations with accumulated water unless adequate precautions are taken, such as using water removal equipment monitored by a competent person [2].

3. Hazardous Atmospheres: Testing for hazardous gases or oxygen deficiency must be conducted before employees enter excavations greater than 4 feet in depth, especially in areas where hazardous substances are stored nearby [3].

4. Access and Egress: Safe means of egress, such as ladders or ramps, must be provided in trench excavations that are 4 feet or more in depth, with no more than 25 feet of lateral travel required for employees [4].

5. Protection from Falling Loads: Employees should not be permitted underneath loads handled by lifting or digging equipment. They should stand away from vehicles being loaded or unloaded to avoid being struck by spillage or falling materials [4].

6. Daily Inspections: A competent person must conduct daily inspections of excavations, adjacent areas, and protective systems for potential cave-ins, protective system failures, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions. Inspections should also occur after rainstorms or other hazard-increasing events [5].

7. Spoil Piles: Excavated material should be kept at least 1.2 meters away from the edge of an excavation to prevent it from falling back into the excavation [6].

8. Underground Installations: The location of utility installations must be determined before opening an excavation, and utility companies should be contacted to establish the location of these installations [7].

By following these guidelines, you can help ensure a safer working environment during excavation projects.