unit 6 test Q3

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Waldorf College *

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3401

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Civil Engineering

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Dec 6, 2023

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docx

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QUESTION 3 1. Consider that you are the competent person for your company, and you are installing some underground storm drainage lines. You have an 8-foot-deep excavation that is 6 feet wide and 60 feet long in class C soil. The area you are working in is very limited, and it is hard to get your equipment, such as backhoes, forklifts, and dump trucks into such a tight space. It has been raining for the last week, and your foreman comes to you and tells you they can bench the excavation (meaning to form horizontal steps instead of sloping) because the soil is sticking together. There is also some water accumulation in the bottom of the excavation. Ladder access/egress is the proposed means of getting into and out of the excavation. Other trades are working nearby forming columns and must walk by the excavation often. What is your response to the foreman, and why? What are the requirements for working in this type of situation? Remember to use the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards to back up your response. Your response must be at least 300 words in length. Being a competent person for my company, it is crucial for me to prioritize the safety of workers and comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. OSHA classifies class C soil as soil that is cohesive with an unconfined compressive strength, it can also be granular soils such as gravel, sand, and loamy sand. Unconfined compressive strength means the load per unit at which a soil will fail in compression. Our company was installing some underground storm drainage lines. Currently, we have an 8-foot-deep excavation that is 6 feet wide and 60 feet long in class C soil. During the last week, it has been raining and our foreman proposed to bench the excavation (create horizontal steps instead of sloping). My response to the foreman would be the following steps. Step 1: Evaluate soil classification- 29 CRF 1926 subpart P will help us confirm the soil classification and assess whether it is suitable for benching. It will also provide guidelines on the corresponding protective systems required. Step 2: Consider water accumulation- Accumulated water may cause an increased risk for cave-ins due to the soil being waterlogged. Step 3: Examine the limited space and equipment access- Assess the feasibility of benching while ensuring the safety of workers and compliance with OSHA standards. The use of ladder access/egress should be evaluated using 29 CFR 1926.651. Step 4: Interaction with other trades- recognize that there will be an increase in foot traffic around the excavation due to the presence of other trades working nearby. Step 5: Proposal and documentation- Discuss other protective systems. Sloping or shoring might be other appropriate measures given the conditions. In accordance with 29 CFR 1926 document the rationale for the chosen protective system. Step 6: Implement protective measures- Safety measures such as proper support for the benches and ensuring that the soil remains stable during excavation must be taken if deemed appropriate.
1926 Subpart P App A - Soil Classification | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (menlosecurity.com)
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