Subchapter E. EXCAVATIONS AND CONSTRUCTION
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec.
33.271. Definitions.
33.272. Purpose.
33.273. Compliance.
33.274. Administration.
33.275. Inspections.
33.276. Penalty.
EQUIPMENT
33.281. General.
33.282. Landing platforms.
33.283. Barriers.
33.284. First aid supplies.
33.285. Ladders.
33.286. Sidewalks and walkways.
33.287. Warning lights and flares.
33.288. Jacks.
33.289. Ramps and runways.
OPERATING CONDITIONS
33.291. Blasting.
33.292. Removal of obstacles and excavated material.
33.293. Signals.
33.294. Power equipment.
33.295. Removal of combustible materials.
33.296. Notice to utility companies.
33.297. Sheet piling, shoring, bracing and underpinning.
EXCAVATING OPERATIONS
33.301. General requirements.
TIMBER SPECIFICATIONS
33.311. Scope and compliance.
33.312. Excavations, 4 feet to 10 feet in depth and not more than 42 inches in width.
33.313. Excavations, 10 feet to 15 feet in depth and not more than 42 inches in width.
33.314. Excavations, more than 15 feet in depth and not more than 42 inches in width.
33.315. Excavations, 4 to 10 feet in depth and more than 42 inches in width.
33.316. Excavations, 10 to 20 feet in depth and more than 42 inches in width.
33.317. Excavations, more than 20 feet in depth and more than 42 inches in width.
33.318. Excavations with hydrostatic pressure.
33.319. Tables.
The provisions of this Subchapter E issued under the act of May 18, 1937 (P. L. 654, No. 174) (43 P. S. § § 25-1—25-15), unless otherwise noted.
The provisions of this Subchapter E adopted November 25, 1961; amended through October 1, 1965, unless otherwise noted.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ 33.271. Definitions.
The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
This subchapter sets forth rules to safeguard the lives, limbs, and health of workers engaged in excavations and construction work.
Both employer and employe are responsible for complying with this subchapter.
(a) Notice of new excavation. No excavation shall be started by any person, association or corporation unless and until notice is given to the Bureau of Inspection of the Department on prescribed forms, except as provided in this section. These forms shall be sent in duplicate to the Department and another copy shall be posted at the construction site. Forms may be obtained upon request from the Board, Room 1408, Labor and Industry Building, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Any firm, the majority of whose revenue is not obtained from contracting or construction, which digs or orders dug by its own employes more than 200 excavations in any one year, need not give such notice if the following requirements are met:
(1) The firm files a form applying for exemption from the notice provision and on such form designates one or more individuals to act as inspectors for the firm, which individuals will inspect and be given, by the firm, primary authority to effect compliance with this subchapter in all excavations in their predetermined localities dug or ordered dug by the firm. The inspector shall be either a licensed engineer of the Commonwealth, a member of the American Society of Safety Engineers, or an individual with at least 5 years of experience in the area of excavations. The exemption form shall contain the names and experience of all proposed inspectors and the localities they propose to oversee, the plan of operation of inspectors and plan of inspection of the firm, the specifications for shoring of the firm, and items as the Department may require to carry out the intent of this subchapter.
(2) The firm shall keep on file within this Commonwealth daily work location information on excavations which will be available to representatives of the Department at all normal working times.
(3) The firm shall report to the Department all disabling injuries occurring within excavations, which it has dug or ordered by its own employes within 24 hours after the disabling injury on forms prescribed by the Department. The exemption of this section may be suspended or revoked for any violation of this subchapter after hearing by the Board. This suspension of revocation may be appealed in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Agency Law (71 P. S. § § 1710.1—1710.21) (Repealed).
(b) Reporting cave-ins. Any cave-in of any excavation in the Commonwealth shall be immediately reported, by telephone or telegraph, to the nearest office of the Bureau of Inspection of the Department. This report shall be made by the person supervising the work or by any employe or officer of the firm hired to perform the work or performing the work.
(c) Accidents. After an accident has occurred in any excavation in the Commonwealth, the excavation, shaft, or cut shall not be covered or altered with the exception of removal of injured persons, until an inspector of the Department has visited the scene of the accident. However, alteration is permitted when express permission is received from the Department or when public safety is involved in such a serious hazard as escaping gas, a water main break or impending collapse of an open street or footpath.
(d) Additional regulations. All applicable, municipal or local acts, codes, rules, regulations, and ordinances not inconsistent with this subchapter governing any and all phases of excavation work shall be observed at all times.
(a) Daily inspections of excavations shall be made by a competent person representing the contractor. If evidence of possible cave-ins or slides is apparent, all work in the excavation shall cease until the necessary precautions have been taken to safeguard the workmen.
(b) Excavations shall be inspected by a person in the employ of the contractor or the contractor doing the excavation work after every rainstorm or other hazard increasing occurrence, and the protection against slides and cave-ins increased if necessary.
(c) Nothing in this subchapter shall prevent representatives of the Department from making inspections of all excavations in this Commonwealth.
Any person who violates any of the provisons of this Subchapter or who interferes with the Department or its authorized representative in the enforcement of these provisions shall be subject to the act of May 18, 1937 (P. L. 654, No. 175) (43 P. S. § § 25-1—25-15).
Any device or equipment used in connection with excavation work shall be constructed, installed, inspected, maintained and operated by the owner or user as specified in applicable parts of this subchapter.
All fixed in place ladders and stairways giving access to levels 20 feet or more shall be provided with landing platforms at vertical intervals of 20 feet. Every landing platform shall be equipped with standard railings and toeboards.
Substantial fences, railings, or solid enclosures shall be provided to protect persons from falling into excavations. Illuminated red lights, amber warning lights, or construction torches shall be placed on these barriers at night, such lights shall be visible 500 feet for vehicular traffic or 50 feet otherwise. This does not apply to excavations in remote sections where the number of persons passing is negligible.
First aid equipment shall be provided at the site in the vicinity of construction operations and maintained as required by Chapter 39 (relating to safety standards—general).
All ladders used in or near construction operations shall be constructed in accordance with Chapter 21 (relating to ladders).
(a) All public walkways, sidewalks and thoroughfares bordering on or running through any construction site shall be provided with substantial guardrails or board fences. In addition, temporary footwalks beyond the curb shall be substantially constructed and provided with protection on both sides.
(b) Sidewalks and walkways shall be kept clear of excavated material or other obstructions and no sidewalks shall be undermined unless shored to carry a live load of 125 pounds per square foot.
(c) If planks are used for sidewalks or raised walkway protection, they shall be laid parallel to the length of the walk and fastened together against displacement. Planks shall be uniform in thickness and all exposed ends shall be provided with beveled cleats to prevent tripping.
During the hours of darkness, all public sidewalks and walkways bordering on or running through a construction site, shall be adequately protected by warning lights or flares which shall be placed about the property to insure safety for pedestrians and vehicular traffic.
(a) Inspections. The following procedure shall be followed:
(1) Jacks shall be examined for cracked, distorted or worn parts and to insure that they are receiving proper lubrication. Time of examination shall depend upon service conditions as follows:
(i) For constant or intermittent use at one locality, thorough inspection once every week.
(ii) For jacks shipped between shop and job, thorough inspection when sent out and when returned.
(iii) For jacks upon which abnormal load or shock has occurred, thorough inspection immediately, by the foreman in charge.
(2) Jacks which are found to have cracked, distorted or badly worn parts shall be tagged ‘‘out of order’’ and not reused until repairs are made to place the jack in safe working order.
(3) Repair or replacement parts shall be examined for possible defects, and only parts which fit perfectly shall be used.
(4) Before being returned to service, repaired jacks shall be subjected to test and shall meet the same requirements as when new.
(5) A capable employe of the main contractor or of the contractor doing the excavation work shall be appointed and held responsible for the inspection of all jacks at regular intervals.
(b) Jacks for lifting or moving. The following procedure shall be followed:
(1) The rated capacity of every jack shall be legibly marked by casting or stamping in a prominent location on the jack.
(2) To prevent loading beyond the rated capacity, the manufacturer shall designate in printed matter or otherwise, the intended supporting point of the load and the maximum permissible length of lever and force applied.
(3) If auxiliary load supporting points are provided, the manufacturer shall also designate the rated capacity for these points.
(4) The design of all jacks shall incorporate either a positive stop to prevent overtravel or an indicator where a positive stop is impracticable.
(5) Jacks shall be designed so that parts may be replaced without requiring special adjustment of either the replacement part or other parts of the jack.
(6) Printed instructions concerning the lubrication and operation of the jacks shall be secured from the manufacturer and these instructions shall be followed.
(7) When the object has been lifted to the desired height, blocking or cribbing shall be immediately placed under it.
(c) Screw jacks for bracing. Metal pipe used as part of a screwjack or crossbrace shall be a minimum two inch diameter extra heavy. Metal pipe or metal shapes used as crossbraces or stringers shall be equivalent in stiffness and strength to the timbers as specified in this subchapter.
(d) Hydraulic ditch jacks. Hydraulic ditch jacks may be used for bracing under the conditions specified for uprights in this subchapter. Hydraulic ditch jacks shall not be used for the bracing of excavations greater than 10 feet in depth nor more than 42 inches in width. They shall be used only in either hard solid soil, where they shall be spaced not more than 6 feet apart center line to center line; or in soil likely to crack, where they shall be spaced not more than 3 feet center line to center line, in the same manner as the specificiations for uprights set out in this subchapter. The upright members of hydraulic ditch jacks shall be not less than 6 inches in width and shall be equivalent in strength to a 2 inch by 6 inch plank. The cross members shall be equivalent in strength to a 2 inch by 6 inch plank of the same length. The construction and mechanism of hydraulic ditch jacks shall be subject to approval of the Board.
(a) Specifications. Ramps or runways used for vehicles shall have a width of not less than 12 feet. Timber guards not less than 8 inches by 8 inches shall be securely fastened on top of the runway along each of the outside edges.
(b) Railings. Ramps or runways, when used as passageways for workmen, shall be provided with standard railings.
(c) Ruts and holes. All ramps and runways shall be maintained in a safe and serviceable condition. When ramps and runways are formed on hard ground without the use of planking, ruts and holes greater than 2 inches deep are not permitted.
(d) Chockers. When the pitch of the ramp requires it, a man shall be along side a loaded truck with a chock provided with a strong handle for blocking a rear wheel in case the truck stalls or otherwise is forced to stop on the ramp. Workmen other than chockers shall be required by the main contractor or the contractor doing the excavation work to stay off ramps and runways when trucks are passing over them.
(e) Foot cleats. Where the incline of the ramp is too steep for safe walking, foot cleats, not more than 16 inches apart, shall be provided to prevent slipping.
Heavy mats or other equivalent protection shall be provided to protect employes from flying objects during blasting operations in or in the vicinity of construction operations. The use of explosives shall be governed by the specifications of Chapter 5, Subchapter D (relating to explosives).
(a) Trees, boulders, and other surface encumbrances located so as to create a hazard to persons or property in, on, or in the vicinity of excavation work at any time during operations, shall be removed or made safe before excavating is started.
(b) Excavated material shall not be placed on the ground surface nearer than 18 inches from the edge of the excavation.
(a) Signals to indicate the movements of all equipment in or in the vicinity of excavations shall be provided and used and workmen shall be properly instructed in the meaning of these signals.
(b) A flagman or watchman shall be designated to warn the public of the approach of trucks and to direct the trucks in and out of the property. Danger or warning signs shall be posted at all truck entrances and exits.
(a) No person shall be required or permitted to travel under loads handled by power shovels, derricks or hoists, unless ample side barricades and overhead protection are provided.
(b) Employes shall not remain in the seat or cab of a truck while the truck is being loaded by power shovel, clam shell or other overhead means.
(a) When working about sewer or gas mains, frequent tests for gas shall be made. Gas, when found, shall be cleared out, or thorough ventilation, artificial or natural, shall be provided before workmen are permitted to enter.
(b) When oil or other highly combustible material is encountered in an excavation, other work shall be stopped until the combustible material is removed.
Any persons excavating at the location of underground utility facilities shall notify the utility company involved.
(a) General requirements. All shoring, bracing, or sheet piling shall be consistent with the magnitude of the work and the character of the soil or material in which the excavation is made. All materials used for shoring, bracing, and sheet piling shall be sound straight-grained timber equal to long leaf yellow pine, Douglas fir or other material of equal strength. All timber shall be free from splits, shakes, large or loose knots, and shall be of the required dimensions throughout. Wooden sheet piling shall be not less than two inches in thickness and the thickness shall be increased as may be necessary to adequately support the sides of the excavation.
(b) Temporary sheet piling. The following procedure shall be followed:
(1) Temporary sheet piling which has been installed to permit the construction of a retaining wall shall not be removed until the wall has acquired its full strength.
(2) Where temporary sheet piling is used during excavation work, the shoring and bracing to be provided shall comply with the following requirements:
(i) When shores and braces are required they shall be placed at intervals of not more than 8 feet measured parallel with the sheet piling.
(ii) Shores or braces shall bear at the earth against a footing of sufficient area to keep within the allowable soil pressure, ‘‘dead men’’ being buried when necessary to resist the thrust of the braces.
(iii) Shores or braces at the sheet piling shall not be cut to a bevel but shall be held by wedges and the wedges shall be nailed.
(iv) The timber shores or braces shall be designed as columns and the following formula is recommended:
P=A (1,300—20L/D)
where:
P=total permissible load in pounds
A=cross sectional area of timber in square inches
L=unbraced length of timber in inches
D=Least dimension of cross section timber in inches
(3) The shores or braces shall make an angle not greater than 30 degrees with the horizontal.
(c) When used. The following procedure shall be followed:
(1) If the stability of adjoining buildings or walls is endangered by excavations, shoring, bracing or underpinning shall be provided as necessary to ensure their safety. This shoring, bracing, or underpinning shall be frequently inspected by a competent person in the employ of the contractor in charge of or the contractor doing the excavation work and the protection effectively maintained.
(2) If workmen are engaged near the face of an excavation, where the ground is cracked or of such character that caving is likely to occur, sheet piling with shoring and bracing necessary to prevent caving shall be provided.
(3) Except in hard rock, excavations below the level of the base or footing of any foundation or retaining wall shall not be permitted unless the wall is underpinned and all other precautions taken to ensure the stability of the adjacent walls for the protection of persons or property in, on, or in the vicinity of the excavation work.
(4) If it is necessary to place or operate power shovels, derricks, trucks, materials or other heavy objects on a level above and near an excavation, the side of the excavation shall be sheet-piled, shored and braced as necessary to resist the extra pressure due to such superimposed loads.
(5) Whenever any part of an excavation is protected by a masonry wall, this wall shall be braced to ensure stability. This shall not include reinforced concrete walls or similar walls of ample strength.
(6) For excavations more than 16 feet in depth, or when heavy lateral pressures are encountered, interlocking steel sheet piling or equivalent material shall be used. Choice of piling shall be made from recognized standard tables. Piling shall be driven sufficiently below the bottom of the excavation or otherwise installed to resist the overturning moment. Adequate bracing shall be used when necessary.
(d) Undercutting. Undercutting of earth banks are not permitted unless they are adequately shored.
(a) Lighting. Sufficient light, either natural or artificial, shall be provided at all times in all excavation operations where men are at work or where they pass to and from their work.
(b) Pick and shovel men. Pick and shovel men working in excavations shall be required by the contractor or the contractor doing the excavation work to be a sufficient distance apart to prevent injury to one another.
(c) Ladders. All excavations shall at all times be supplied with at least one ladder for each 100 feet in length or fraction thereof. The ladder shall extend from the bottom of the excavation to at least 3 feet above the surface of the ground.
(d) Warning lights. Red lanterns, torches or amber lights shall be placed along the exposed sides of all excavations at night as required for necessary warning to the public.
(e) Guardrails. Guardrailings or barricades shall be provided at or near the sides of excavations as necessary to protect the workmen and the public.
(f) Bracing. The sides of all excavations where the earth is not sloped the angle of slope, shall be securely held by adequate bracing. The bracing shall be carried along with the excavation and shall in no case be omitted unless the excavation is cut in solid rock or hard shale. If a mechanical digger is used, the bracing shall be placed as close as possible at a maximum of 6 feet if physically possible to the lower end of the bucket. The bracing shall be held in place by screw jacks or by cross braces cleated and wedged in place. Where the width of the excavation prevents this, the lower end of the cross brace shall bear against a footing in the earth at the bottom of the excavation if adequate means are taken to keep it from kicking out. Braces shall be considered as columns or struts and shall be of adequate dimension for stiffness.
(g) Timbering. When the sloping of excavations to the angle of slope does not extend to the bottom of the excavation, the timbering shall be as required to support the vertical part of the excavation. The sheeting shall extend not less than 12 inches above the bottom of the slope, and, if necessary, toeboards shall be placed behind the timbering to prevent material from sliding into the excavation. The surface of the slope shall be cleaned of boulders, stumps, or other hard masses of earth to eliminate the danger of their sliding into the excavation.
(h) Excavated material. Excavated material and superimposed loads shall not be placed nearer than 18 inches from the sides of the excavation unless bracing has been installed and designed to withstand the load.
(i) Undercutting. When excavations are undercut, they shall be shored to safely support the overhanging material.
(j) Underpinning. If an excavation is cut alongside an existing structure and the footings of the structure are nearer to the excavation than the plane of repose for the soil, they shall be underpinned or the side wall of the excavation rigidly supported.
(k) Distance between stringers. Considering the planks used for sheet piling as beams to support the load imposed by the lateral earth pressure, the maximum allowable distance between the horizontal stringers or wales shall be such as will keep the planks within their safe bending stress.
(l) Cleats. In excavations, cleats shall be spiked or holted to join the ends of braces to stringers to prevent the braces from being knocked out of place. Cleats bolted shall have a minimum nominal thickness of 1 inch and shall be the same width as the cross braces to which they are fastened. The size of bolts shall be 1/4 inch minimum diameter. At least two bolts shall be used to secure each cleat to the cross brace. When cross braces are 6 inches by 6 inches or larger in cross section, the cleats shall have a minimum thickness of 2 inches and size of bolts shall be three eighths of an inch minimum diameter.
(m) Sheet piling. When the depth of the excavation requires two lengths of sheet piling, one above the other, the lower length shall be set inside the bottom stringers or wales of the upper length and driven down and braced as the excavation continues.
In excavations of varying widths and depths, timbers shall be used as provided in § 33.312 (relating to excavations, four feet to ten feet in depth and not more than 42 inches in width) and any deviations shall be on the side of safety.
(a) In hard, solid soil, timber shall be used as follows:
(1) Uprights. Two by 6 inch planks spaced approximately 6 feet apart center line to center line.
(2) Stringers. None.
(3) Cross braces. For depths less than 7 feet, two 2 by 6 inch planks, and for depths of 7 to 10 feet, three 2 by 6 inch planks.
(b) In soil likely to crack, timber shall be used as follows:
(1) Uprights. Two by 6 inch planks spaced approximately 3 feet apart center line to center line.
(2) Stringers. Two by 6 inch planks placed near the bottom and top of the excavation or shaft.
(3) Cross braces. Spaced horizontally not more than 6 feet apart center line to center line, and additionally as follows:
(i) For depths less than 7 feet, two 2 by 6 inch planks.
(ii) For depths of 7 to 10 feet, three 2 by 6 inch planks.
(c) In soft, sandy soil or filled ground, timber shall be used as follows:
(1) Uprights. Two by 6 inch close sheeting.
(2) Stringers. For depths less than 7 feet, two 4 by 6 inch planks, and for depths of 7 to 10 feet, three 4 by 6 inch planks.
(3) Cross braces. Four by 6 inch planks spaced horizontally not more than 6 feet center line to center line.
(d) If the nature of the soil or parallel excavations close to excavations necessitate the spacing of uprights closer than 6 feet, they may be held in place by 2 by 6 inch horizontal stringers or wales and cross braces spaced not more than 6 feet apart center line to center line. This section cited in 34 Pa. Code § 33.319 (relating to tables).
In soil of all kinds, timber shall be used as follows:
(1) Uprights. Two by 6 inch close sheeting.
(2) Stringers. Four by 12 inch planks spaced vertically not to exceed four feet center line to center line.
(3) Cross braces. Four by 12 inch planks spaced horizontally not to exceed 6 feet center line. This section cited in 34 Pa. Code § 33.319 (relating to tables).
In all kinds of soil, timber shall be used as follows:
(1) Uprights. Two by 6 inch close sheeting.
(2) Stringers. Six by 6 inch spaced vertically 4 feet apart center line to center line.
(3) Cross braces. Six by 6 inch spaced horizontally 6 feet apart center line to center line. This section cited in 34 Pa. Code § 33.319 (relating to tables).
In soil of all kinds, timber shall be used as follows:
(1) Uprights. Two by 6 inch close sheeting.
(2) Stringers. Six by 8 inch spaced vertically 4 feet apart center line to center line.
(3) Cross braces. Six by 8 inch spaced horizontally 6 feet apart center line to center line.
Angle of slope—The maximum slope at which a mass of loose solid material such as sand, gravel, soil or rock will stand without sliding. The angle of slope shall not be greater than 60 degrees (1 foot rise to each 1/2 foot horizontal).
Bracing—The method of reinforcing the sides of an excavation or the supporting members of sheeting in sheet piling.
Chock—A block designed so as to stop the movement of wheels on trucks where and when desired. This is to prevent the truck from running away should the motor stall or air brakes fail when pulling out of a ramp.
Cleat—A piece of lumber or metal used as a heel plate or shoe.
Construction site—The area in which construction is taking place or which is utilized in connection with construction.
Cribbing—Placing members parallel to each other as a means of support.
Cross braces—Generally horizontal members placed between the stringers, or between uprights where stringers are not used.
Deadman—A member laid horizontally in the earth to serve as a footing for shores or braces.
Excavation—Any channel, gutter, ditch, trench, shaft or cut or any piercing of the earth 4 feet or more in depth in which men are located or permitted to work.
Footing—Lower and expended portion of a foundation which rests on the excavated surface.
Jack—A mechanical or hydraulic device used to lift, lower or move a load by manpower applied through leverage.
Lumber—All lumber dimensions to be nominal dimensions.
Mechanical digger—Any mechanical device or equipment which may be used in excavating.
Person—Any individual, association, corporation, trust or business entity.
Screwjacks—Crossbraces of metal pipe with a screw and cleat in one or both ends.
Sheeting or sheet piling—A continuous wall of uprighters used to support and exclude running material.
Shores—Members placed at a sloping angle between a stringer and a deadman to prevent collapse of a wall or of one side of an excavation.
Shoring—The method of reinforcing the sides of an excavation, or the supporting members of sheeting in sheet piling.
Standard railings—Vertical barriers erected along the exposed edges of open-sided floors, work platforms, runways, balconies and openings in walls, floors, and ground levels.
Stringers or wales—Horizontal members laid parallel to the sides of the excavation against the uprights or sheeting.
Toeboard—A board or plank set on edge immediately under a railing at floor level.
Undercutting—The removal of earth or other material at the base of a vertical excavation.
Underpinning—A solid structure introduced temporarily or otherwise beneath the foundation of an existing building to support it in case of alteration or excavation beneath the footings.
Uprights—Planks or metal shapes placed vertically against the sides of the excavation.
Wedges—Blocks cut or constructed at an angle and used to bring pressure on walers or stringers.
§ 33.272. Purpose.
§ 33.273. Compliance.
§ 33.274. Administration.
§ 33.275. Inspections.
§ 33.276. Penalty.
§ 33.281. General.
§ 33.282. Landing platforms.
§ 33.283. Barriers.
§ 33.284. First aid supplies.
§ 33.285. Ladders.
§ 33.286. Sidewalks and walkways.
§ 33.287. Warning lights and flares.
§ 33.288. Jacks.
§ 33.289. Ramps and runways.
§ 33.291. Blasting.
§ 33.292. Removal of obstacles and excavated material.
§ 33.293. Signals.
§ 33.294. Power equipment.
§ 33.295. Removal of combustible materials.
§ 33.296. Notice to utility companies.
§ 33.297. Sheet piling, shoring, bracing and underpinning.
§ 33.301. General requirements.
§ 33.311. Scope and compliance.
§ 33.312. Excavations, 4 feet to 10 feet in depth and not more than 42 inches in width.
§ 33.314. Excavations, more than 15 feet in depth and not more than 42 inches in width.
§ 33.316. Excavations, 10 to 20 feet in depth and more than 42 inches in width.
§ 33.317. Excavations, more than 20 feet in depth and more than 42 inches in width.
