OSHA Training Center Update | October 2014
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Trenching and Excavation Safety a Top Priority on Construction Sites
 
Trenching and excavation are widely recognized as among the most hazardous construction operations, resulting in an average of two deaths per month and hundreds of injuries each year due to trench collapses. OSHA has addressed construction-related trenching and excavation hazards by developing specific safety standards for the construction industry, making the requirements easier to understand and providing construction employers with various options for classifying soil and selecting employee protection methods.

OSHA defines an excavation as any man-made cut, cavity, trench or depression in the earth's surface formed by earth removal. A trench is defined as a narrow excavation made below the surface of the ground with a depth greater than its width and a maximum width of 15 feet at the bottom.

 

The Vital Role of the Competent Person in Trenching and Excavation

 

OSHA standards require that trenching and excavation sites are inspected daily and as conditions change by a competent person before worker entry in order to ensure elimination of excavation hazards. OSHA defines a competent person as an individual who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards or working conditions that are hazardous, unsanitary or dangerous to workers; can identify soil types and design appropriate protective systems; and is authorized to take corrective measures to eliminate hazards and dangerous conditions.

 

The role of the competent person for excavation demands high accountability because workers on trenching and excavation construction sites can be injured or killed in the blink of an eye. The competent person must have extensive training and broad expertise not only in all aspects of excavations but also in all relevant OSHA regulations, including confined space, utility location, personal protective equipment, hazardous atmosphere testing, rigging and design, as well as applicable state and local laws.

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Scaffolding Safety Requires Expertise to Ensure Worker Protection and OSHA Compliance

 

An estimated 2.3 million construction workers, or 65 percent of the construction industry, work on scaffolds frequently. In a recent Bureau of Labor Statistics study, 72 percent of workers injured in scaffold accidents attributed their injuries to planking or support giving way, slipping or being struck by a falling object. OSHA estimates that protecting these workers from scaffold-related accidents by complying with OSHA safety standards would prevent 4,500 injuries and 60 deaths every year.

 

A scaffold is defined as an elevated, temporary work platform. There are three basic types of scaffolds:
  • Supported scaffolds: one or more platforms supported by outrigger beams, brackets, poles, legs, uprights, posts, frames or similar rigid support;
  • Suspended scaffolds: one or more platforms suspended by ropes or other non-rigid methods from an overhead structure;
  • Other scaffolds, principally manlifts, personnel hoists, etc., sometimes thought of as vehicles or machinery, but which can be regarded as another type of supported scaffold.
Ladder Safety DOs and DON'Ts

To prevent workers from being injured due to falls from various types of ladders, including extension ladders and stepladders, employers are encouraged to adopt the following practices:

 

Safe Extension Ladder Use-DO:

  • Maintain a 3-point contact (two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand) when climbing/descending a ladder.
  • Face the ladder when climbing or descending.
  • Keep the body inside the side rails.
  • Use extra care when getting on or off the ladder at the top or bottom.  
  • Avoid tipping the ladder over sideways or causing the ladder base to slide out.
  • Carry tools in a tool belt or raise tools up using a hand line.  Never carry tools in your hands while climbing up/down a ladder.
  • Extend the top of the ladder three feet above the landing.
  • Keep ladders free of any slippery materials.

Safe Extension Ladder Use-DON'T:

  • Place a ladder on boxes, barrels, or unstable bases.
  • Use a ladder on soft ground or unstable footing.
  • Exceed the ladder's maximum load rating.
  • Tie two ladders together to make them longer.
  • Ignore nearby overhead power lines.
  • Move or shift a ladder with a person or equipment on the ladder.
  • Lean out beyond the ladder's side rails.
  • Use an extension ladder horizontally like a platform.
Upcoming Classes
  
  

The OSHA Training Center at Chabot-Las Positas Community College District offers high quality Occupational Safety & Health Administration standards-based training for construction, maritime and general industry and other workplace safety courses, including:


OSHA 5109 - Cal/OSHA Standards for the Construction Industry

October 27-30 | San Francisco Bay Area - Dublin, CA

November 1-9 | Southern CA - Bakersfield

November 3-6 | Southern CA - Fullerton

 

OSHA 3095 - Electrical Standards

October 27-30 | San Francisco Bay Area - Dublin, CA

December 8-12 | Southern CA - San Bernardino

 

OSHA 2225 - Respiratory Protection

November 1-9 | Southern CA - San Bernardino

 

OSHA 510 - OSHA Standards for the Construction Industry

November 3-6 | San Francisco Bay Area - Dublin, CA

November 3-6 | Southern CA - Carson

November 3-6 | Las Vegas, NV Area

December 15-18 | Southern CA - San Bernardino

 

OSHA 511 - OSHA Standards for General Industry

November 3-6 | Southern CA - San Bernardino

November 3-6 | Phoenix, AZ - Gateway Community College

November 8-16 | Las Vegas, NV Area

December 8-11 | Southern CA - Carson

December 8-11 | San Francisco Bay Area - Dublin, CA

 

OSHA 521 - OSHA's Guide to Industrial Hygiene

November 3-6 | Southern CA - Bakersfield

November 3-6 | San Francisco Bay Area - Dublin, CA

November 10-14 | Southern CA - Carson


OSHA 5119 - Cal/OSHA Standards for General Industry

November 4-December 9 | Southern CA - Carson

November 15-23 | Southern CA - Bakersfield

December 1-4 | Southern CA - San Bernardino

 

OSHA 7300 - Permit Required Confined Space Standard

November 4 | Phoenix, AZ - Gateway Community College


OSHA 5029 - Cal/OSHA Construction Update

November 6 | Southern CA - Fullerton

November 9 | Southern CA - Bakersfield

 

OSHA 3015 - Excavation, Trenching and Soil Mechanics

November 7-9 | Southern CA - Carson

November 12-14 | San Francisco Bay Area - Dublin, CA

 

OSHA 7410 - Managing Excavation Hazards

November 12 | San Francisco Bay Area - Dublin, CA

 

OSHA 500 - Trainer Course in OSHA Standards for the Construction Industry

Nov. 13-December 9 | San Francisco Bay Area - Dublin, CA

November 17-20 | Sacramento, CA Safety Center

November 17-20 | Southern CA - Carson

December 1-4 | Las Vegas, NV Area

 

OSHA 502 - Update for Construction Industry Outreach Trainers

Nov. 14-December 9 | San Francisco Bay Area - Dublin, CA

November 18-20 | Sacramento, CA Safety Center

November 18-20 | Southern CA - Carson

December 2-4 | Las Vegas, NV Area

 

OSHA 2045 - Machinery and Machine Guarding Standards

November 17-20 | Las Vegas, NV Area

December 8-11 | Southern CA - Bakersfield

 

OTC 301 - Scaffolding Safety Standards

November 17-19 | San Francisco Bay Area - Dublin, CA

 

OSHA 501 - Trainer Course in OSHA Standards for General Industry

November 17-20 | Southern CA - San Bernardino

December 6-14 | Las Vegas, NV Area

December 8-11 | Phoenix, AZ - Gateway Community College

December 15-18 | Southern CA - Carson

December 15-18 | San Francisco Bay Area - Dublin, CA

 

OSHA 503 - Update for General Industry Outreach Trainers

November 18-20 | Southern CA - San Bernardino

December 7-14 | Las Vegas, NV Area

December 16-18 | Southern CA - Carson

December 16-18 | San Francisco Bay Area - Dublin, CA

 

OSHA 3115 - Fall Protection

November 21-23 | Southern CA - San Bernardino

December 19-21 | San Francisco Bay Area - San Lorenzo

 

OSHA 5039 - Cal/OSHA General Industry Update

November 23 | Southern CA - Bakersfield

December 4 | Southern CA - San Bernardino

December 4-9 | Southern CA - Carson

 

OTC 304 - Confined Space Rescue Operations (40-Hour)

December 1-5 | San Francisco Bay Area - San Lorenzo

 

OSHA 7500 - Introduction to Safety and Health Management

December 1-2 | Southern CA - Bakersfield

 

OTC 108 - OSHA 10-Hour Outreach Training for General Industry

December 1-2 | San Francisco Bay Area - Dublin, CA

 

OTC 110 - OSHA 30-Hour Outreach Training for General Industry

December 1-4 | San Francisco Bay Area - Dublin, CA


OSHA 2255 - Principles of Ergonomics

December 1-3 | San Francisco Bay Area - Dublin, CA


OSHA 7845 - Recordkeeping Rule Seminar

December 1 | Southern CA - Bakersfield

December 9 | Phoenix, AZ - Gateway Community College

 

OSHA 7505 - Accident Investigation Introduction

December 2-3 | Southern CA - Bakersfield

December 6-7 | Southern CA - San Diego


OSHA 7405 - Fall Hazard Awareness for the Construction Industry

December 2 | Phoenix, AZ - Gateway Community College

December 19 | San Francisco Bay Area - Dublin, CA

 

OSHA 2015 - Hazardous Materials

December 6-14 | Southern CA - Carson

December 15-18 | San Francisco Bay Area - Dublin, CA


OSHA 6000 - Collateral Duty Course for Other Federal Agencies

December 8-10 | Southern CA - Carson

December 15-18 | San Francisco Bay Area - Dublin, CA

December 15-18 | Las Vegas, NV Area


OSHA 7105 - Evacuation and Emergency Planning

December 12 | San Francisco Bay Area - Dublin, CA

In This Issue

Trenching and Excavation Safety a Top Priority on Construction Sites

The Vital Role of the Competent Person in Trenching and Excavation

Scaffolding Safety Requires Expertise to Ensure Worker Protection and OSHA Compliance

Ladder Safety DOs and DON'Ts

Upcoming Classes
  
  
The OSHA Training Center at Chabot-Las Positas Community College District offers high quality OSHA standards-based training for construction, maritime and general industry at our  location in the San Francisco Bay Area and additional locations in Southern California, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada and Guam. Programs offered include OSHA safety standards, Outreach Trainer courses, Cal/OSHA standards curriculum, environmental courses and customized onsite safety training. For more information visit www.osha4you.com or call (866) 936-OSHA (6742).
  
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On Site Training
Explore specific solutions to enhance your safety and health training programs at your location, at a time that is convenient to your work schedule. Great for organizations requiring the same training for multiple people. Contact us.
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The OSHA Training Center offers three levels of Professional Safety certificates to take your career and your organization's safety program to the next level.

 

Contact us at 866-936-OSHA or email otc@clpccd.org with questions.

3 Steps to Becoming an OSHA Outreach Trainer
Did you know that there are only three steps to becoming an Authorized OSHA Outreach Trainer?  Review our OSHA Outreach Trainer page to see how you can become an Authorized OSHA Outreach Trainer in Construction, General Industry, Maritime, Cal/OSHA or Disaster Site Preparedness.  

 

Contact us toll free at 866-936-OSHA or via email at otc@clpccd.org with questions.

OSHA Outreach Cards

Save time by using the OSHA Training Center online Outreach Card Processing System. Outreach Trainers that use the online system will benefit by having:

  • Pre-Printed Student Cards
  • Report Recordkeeping
  • Faster Processing

The OSHA Training Center online system provides four methods to submit your Outreach Training Reports and get your Outreach Cards processed. 

  
  
The OSHA Training Center has partnered with two outstanding organizations in the Greater Los Angeles area to provide a full range of standards based safety and health training to interested students in Southern California. View the complete Southern California OSHA Training Center Schedule.
OSHA Safety Training
in Hawaii
 

The OSHA Training Center provides OSHA standards based safety and health training throughout Hawaii and the Pacific Rim. Check back soon for a schedule of courses.

OSHA Safety Training in Central/Northern California, Nevada and Arizona


 

The OSHA Training Center partners with several organizations to provide standards based safety and health training throughout the Western Region, including:

 

Kaplan College in Bakersfield, California, which offers affordable OSHA standards-based courses with discounted tuition, serves California's Central Valley. View the Bakersfield Schedule.

 

The four-year alliance with Safety Center, Inc., in Sacramento, California, brings OSHA standards-based courses to the Sacramento Valley, and aligns the OSHA Training Center with an organization that has demonstrated a deep commitment to safety education for over 75 years. View the Sacramento Schedule.

 

The Training Center, located at 6380 S. Valley View Blvd., Suite 318, Las Vegas, Nevada. Upcoming programs include OSHA standards and trainer courses for both construction and general industry. View the Las Vegas Area Schedule.

 

Our alliance with Gateway Community College in Phoenix, Arizona, authorizes Gateway to offer OSHA standards-based trainer courses, and aligns the OSHA Training Center with a highly regarded training organization. View the Phoenix Schedule.

  
Stay current with monthly updates from the OSHA Training Center at Chabot-Las Positas Community College District. Learn more about workplace safety and health, upcoming OSHA Training Center courses, free safety training resources, and updates to OSHA's Outreach Training Program.