OSHA Updates their National Emphasis Program ON
Trenching &
Excavation Safety
STRUCTION JUNKIE
OCT. 8, 2018 | SHANE HEDMOND
Last week, we shared some newly updated Trenching and Excavation safety information from
OSHA, which was part of their priority goals for 2018. Those updates included a public service
announcement and updated online resources. The administration has just announced the
update of their National Emphasis Program (NEP) on trenching and excavation safety, which
features a period of education and prevention outreach.
The new trenching and excavation NEP will be
replacing the 33 year old “CPL 02-00-069 - Special
Emphasis: Trenching and Excavation” document,
which debuted in 1985. Since incidences of
trenching and excavation collapses and deaths
continue to be on the rise, OSHA decided that it
should update the document.
“Removing workers from and helping workers
identify trenching hazards is critical,” said Deputy
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational
Safety and Health Loren Sweatt, in a press
release. “OSHA will concentrate the full force
of enforcement and compliance assistance
resources to help ensure that employers are
addressing these serious hazards.”
Beginning October 1, 2018, area enforcement offices
and regions are tasked with a 90-day outreach
period, for education purposes. Until that 90 days
has passed, Compliance Safety and Health Officers
(CSHOs) will not be permitted to initiate trenching
and excavation inspections under this NEP, but will
continue to enforce the old standard it will eventually
replace: the CPL 02-00-069.
During the 90-day period, OSHA offices are
encouraged to offer outreach in a number of
different ways, including:
•
Outreach through news organizations, trade
magazines, and the greatest construction
blog of all time.
• Seminars/informational sessions for
employers and worker groups, and trade
associations
• Provide outreach materials to licensing and
permitting agencies to give out to contractors
• Provide outreach materials to major utility and
plumbing companies
• Provide outreach materials to industry
associations and rental distributors
• Collaborate with state plans (states not
following the federal OSHA guidelines are
expected to develop a plan that is at least as
effective as the NEP)
• Collaborate with OSHA On-site Consultation
programs, which allows small and medium
sized businesses the ability to have a no-
cost and confidential safety and health
services consultation on their jobsites. These
consolation services are separate from
enforcement and will not result in penalties
or citations. If you’re interested in this service,
you can call 1-800-321-OSHA or go to www.
osha.gov/consultation.
You can view the full National Emphasis Program on
Trenching and Excavation Safety by clicking here.
OCTOBER 2018 • DITCHMEN
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