Excavation & Trenching Competent Person Program — OSHA Subpart P
The written program for any excavation, trench, or earth-disturbing work. Covers soil classification (Type A/B/C), protective system selection (sloping, benching, shoring, shielding), daily competent person inspection, and the Trenching NEP enforcement context.
When this template is required
Required wherever excavation, trenching, or earth-disturbing work is performed at a depth of 5 feet or greater (or shallower if hazardous). Trench cave-ins remain one of the deadliest construction hazards. OSHA's Trenching National Emphasis Program drives aggressive enforcement.
Why this template
OSHA Trenching National Emphasis Program
OSHA's Trenching NEP (CPL 02-00-161) directs targeted inspections of trenches ≥5 ft deep. Compliance with Subpart P is essentially mandatory at every excavation site. The program is the documentation foundation.
Soil classification built in
Subpart P requires classification of soil as Type A (most stable), Type B (intermediate), or Type C (least stable, including any submerged soil, layered soil with downward slope, fissured rock). The classification drives protective system selection. The program includes the classification procedure.
Four protective systems covered
Sloping (cutting back the sides), benching (stepping the sides), shoring (bracing the sides), shielding (trench box). Each has applicability rules and limits based on soil type and depth. The program walks through selection.
Pre-entry + during-work inspection
1926.651(k) requires daily inspection BEFORE work starts and AFTER any rain or other event that could increase hazards. The checklist covers both inspections.
What you receive
- Excavation/Trenching Safety Program (Word .docx)
- Competent Person designation form with competency criteria
- Soil classification procedure (Type A / B / C per Appendix A)
- Protective system selection guide (sloping/benching/shoring/shielding)
- Daily excavation inspection checklist (pre-entry + during work)
- Atmospheric testing procedure (>4 ft deep with potential hazards)
- Underground utility verification procedure (call-before-dig)
- Spoil placement and vehicle setback procedures
- Emergency rescue procedure (cross-references confined space if applicable)
How you get it
This document is written and reviewed against the standard it cites, and it is ready now. The download link is emailed as soon as your payment clears.
Revisions included — if something about your operation changes what the document should say, reply to the delivery email and we will amend it.
Who buys this
- Excavation contractors and earth-movers
- Underground utility contractors (water, sewer, gas, electric, telecom)
- Foundation and basement contractors
- Pipeline contractors
- Site preparation and grading contractors
- Demolition contractors with below-grade work
Frequently asked
When does the excavation standard apply?
29 CFR 1926 Subpart P applies to all excavations, trenches, and earth-disturbing operations. Protective systems are mandatory at depths of 5 feet or greater (or shallower if hazardous). A Competent Person must perform daily inspections regardless of depth when employees are exposed.
What's the difference between Type A, B, and C soil?
Type A: most stable cohesive soils (clay, silty clay, sandy clay) with high unconfined compressive strength. Type B: intermediate stability soils (silt, sandy loam, sometimes clay) or any disturbed cohesive soil. Type C: least stable soils (gravel, sand, loamy sand, submerged soil, soil from which water is freely seeping). Classification drives the allowed slope angle for sloping protective systems.
When is shoring or a trench box required?
When the excavation is 5+ feet deep and sloping/benching is not feasible (due to confined space, utilities, structures, or property lines). Shoring and shielding are required for any excavation in Type C soil where the work brings workers below the protective system top. Manufacturer's tabulated data or a Professional Engineer's design is required for shoring/shielding configurations.
Who can be a Competent Person for excavation?
Per 1926.32(f), a Competent Person is one who is capable of identifying hazards and has authority to take prompt corrective measures. For excavation specifically, the Competent Person must be able to classify soil, select and apply protective systems, conduct inspections, and recognize hazards (cave-in, hazardous atmospheres, water accumulation, mobile equipment). Most contractors require formal Competent Person training plus field experience.
What's the call-before-dig requirement?
Federal law (the Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011) requires contacting the 811 'Call Before You Dig' service before any excavation. State laws (administered by state One-Call services) provide the specific notification requirements. The program includes the call-before-dig procedure and verification of utility marking before excavation begins.