Excavation and Shoring

A. Excavation and Shoring

1. The Project Manager shall be responsible for investigating pre-excavation conditions (super-imposed loads, soil structure, hydrostatic pressure and the like) in order to evaluate changes that might occur, or situations that might develop, and in order to plan the job based on these findings.

2. Design of shorings and bracings must be submitted first to Project Manager’s office for approval. Shoring, built in accordance with standard engineering practice or procedure, should be provided on excavations where there exists a possibility of cave-in. When excavations require 1.5 meters depth, steel sheeting, shoring or other support system may be used if the trench sites are unstable. Shoring materials must be on site before starting any excavation works. Bracing and shoring should be inspected frequently particularly after the rains.

Bracing - Ties & rods used for supporting and strengthening various part of a building used for lateral stability for columns and beams. 

Shoring - A temporary support erected in a trench or other excavation to support the walls from caving in. 

3. All open excavations should be barricaded to prevent pedestrians or vehicles from falling into them. Proper signs shall be installed to make sure the public is aware of what is going on. When an excavation must remain open for duration of the construction work, properly placed barriers and warning signs are necessary. In some cases, watchmen and flagmen equipped with whistle, flags (red and green), reflectorized uniforms and hand glove are needed. The working area should additionally be illuminated by flares, lanterns, or flashing lights at night. No excavation will be left open at night.

4. Men working in ditches are always in danger of being struck by objects or knocked into the ditch. Tools and materials lying near ditches should be moved back several feet.

Ditch - A long narrow trench or furrow dug in the ground, as for...