Excavation & Trenching Safety

Purpose

Ensure Spartan Plumbing technicians and install crews follow safe excavation and trenching procedures to prevent cave-ins, utility strikes, and other excavation-related injuries.

When to Use

• Any sewer line replacement or repair requiring excavation
• Water line installation or repair that requires digging
• Any trench deeper than 12 inches
• Any digging on residential or commercial property

Procedure

Before Digging — OUPS Call Required

Contact OUPS (Ohio Utility Protection Service) at 811 at least 48 hours before any digging

Wait for all utilities to be marked before breaking ground

Confirm all utility markings are present and match expected services at the property

Hand-dig within 18 inches of any marked utility line

Document the OUPS ticket number in ServiceTitan job notes

Trench Safety

Trenches deeper than 5 feet require shoring, sloping, or a trench box — no exceptions

Even shallow trenches can collapse — never enter a trench without assessing soil conditions

Keep excavated soil at least 2 feet back from the trench edge

Never position yourself between heavy equipment and the trench wall

Use a ladder for entry and exit in trenches deeper than 4 feet

During Excavation

Continuously monitor trench walls for cracks, bulging, or water seepage

If soil conditions change (rain, groundwater), reassess and shore if needed

Keep the work area clear of debris and unnecessary materials

Never leave an open trench unattended without barricades or warnings

If the trench is in a customer's yard, communicate timeline and restoration plans

Backfill Procedure

Backfill in layers, compacting every 6-12 inches

In heavy, saturated soil, you may need to create a mound and schedule a return visit for settling

Restore the surface as close to original condition as possible

Document before and after photos for the customer record

Equipment Safety

Perform pre-use inspection on any excavation equipment

Maintain safe distance from overhead power lines — minimum 10 feet

Use a spotter when operating equipment near structures, fences, or utilities

Shut down equipment before anyone enters the trench

Important Notes

• OUPS call is a legal requirement in Ohio — skipping it puts you, the customer, and the company at liability risk
• If you strike an unmarked utility, stop work immediately, evacuate the area, and call 911 if it is gas or electric
• Wet soil is the most dangerous — rain significantly increases cave-in risk
• Daily excavation site inspection is required for multi-day jobs

Related SOPs

• PPE Requirements — hard hat, high-vis, steel toes required for excavation
• Permit Application & Requirements — some excavation requires permits
• Multi-Day Job Coordination — managing excavation sites over multiple days