Digging Safe: Shoring, Battering, and Spoil

A hole in the ground is only safe if the walls are supported and the dirt is pushed back from the edge.

Why this matters

Trench collapses happen in a second. You cannot outrun falling soil. Dirt is extremely heavy, and a collapse can crush your chest or bury you before you can even shout for help.
The ground may look solid, but weight from machines, vibrating tools, or even a pile of dirt near the edge can cause the walls to cave in without warning.

Talking points

Always check that the Permit to Work is signed and at the site before you go down.
Keep the 'spoil pile' (the dirt you dug out) at least one meter away from the edge of the hole.
Use shoring (metal or wood supports) or battering (cutting the walls at an angle) to stop the ground from moving.
Never enter an excavation that has water at the bottom; water makes the walls weak and likely to collapse.
Use a proper ladder to enter and exit. Never climb the shoring or the dirt walls.
Stop work and get out immediately if you see cracks forming in the ground around the edge.
Every morning, a supervisor must inspect the excavation and shoring before anyone is allowed inside.

Ask the crew

How far back must we keep the pile of dirt from the edge of the dig?
What should you do if you see water leaking into the bottom of the trench?
Is it safe to climb up the shoring if the ladder is too far away?

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