Excavation & Trenching Safety Program Templates

Trench collapses are among the deadliest hazards in construction. OSHA's excavation standard under 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P requires employers to have comprehensive procedures for soil classification, protective systems, and competent person oversight. Our excavation safety templates provide all the documentation you need.

Every template references specific OSHA requirements and is designed for field use — these aren't academic documents but practical tools that your competent person can use every day on the job site.

For a complete understanding of competent person requirements, read our Excavation & Trenching Safety guide.

Available Templates

Excavation Safety Program — Written Plan

Complete written program covering soil classification, protective system selection, competent person duties, utility location, and atmospheric testing requirements.

$12.99 Buy on Etsy

Daily Trench Inspection Checklist

Competent person inspection form for daily and after-rain evaluations of excavation conditions, protective systems, and access.

$8.99 Buy on Etsy

Soil Classification Worksheet

Field documentation form for visual and manual soil testing with classification decision tree and protective system requirements.

$6.99 Buy on Etsy

Excavation Competent Person Training Record

Training documentation for competent person designation including soil classification, protective system evaluation, and inspection duties.

$6.99 Buy on Etsy

Excavation JHA — General Trenching

Job hazard analysis for trenching operations covering cave-in, utility strike, falls, atmospheric hazards, and water accumulation.

$7.99 Buy on Etsy

Excavation & Trenching Safety Pack

Program, JHA, permit, inspection — OSHA compliant

$39.99 Buy on Etsy

Frequently Asked Questions

OSHA requires a protective system (sloping, shoring, or shielding) for excavations 5 feet or deeper, unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock. Even for shallower excavations, the competent person must evaluate conditions and implement protection if cave-in potential exists.
OSHA requires the competent person to be capable of identifying hazards associated with excavation, performing soil classification tests, evaluating protective systems, and having the authority to stop work when hazardous conditions are found. While OSHA doesn't mandate a specific certification, training in soil mechanics, protective systems, and Subpart P requirements is essential.
Yes. The excavation safety program template addresses pre-excavation planning including underground utility location requirements, the 811 notification process, hand-digging tolerance zones, and documentation of utility locate requests and results.

Related Safety Guides

Free resources to help you understand OSHA requirements and use your templates effectively.

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