SafetyQuestion 634 of 1605
Under Title 8 CCR §1541.1, an excavation 5 feet or deeper in soil (and less than 20 feet) must generally be protected against cave-ins by:
a.Sloping, benching, shoring, or shielding designed in accordance with the standard, unless made entirely in stable rock
b.A handrail at the top of the excavation
c.Daily watering of the excavation walls only
d.A trench box only if the soil is Type C
Explanation
Title 8 CCR §1541.1 requires employee protection in excavations 5 feet or deeper (and less than 20 feet) by sloping, benching, shoring, or shielding — unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock. Trench-box (shielding) systems are one acceptable method, but they are not limited to Type C soil. A handrail addresses fall protection at the top, not cave-ins. Daily watering can actually destabilize walls. Excavations 20 feet or deeper require a registered professional engineer to design the protective system.
Law Reference: Title 8 CCR §1541.1Practice all 1605 questions free — no signup required.
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Reviewed by Abraham Chen — Licensed California General Contractor (CSLB License #1101856 — verify)