Excavations

Excavations are recognized as one of the most hazardous operations in the construction industry.  Excavation cave-ins can cause serious and often fatal injuries to employees.  In addition to the hazards related to cave-ins, excavations are of particular concern on campus due to the University’s complex underground utility infrastructure.  OSHA places very strict regulations governing the design of an excavation, cave-in prevention methods, and employee training.  Cornell employees working in or around excavations need to be knowledgeable of safety requirements.

Requirements for all excavations include:

• An underground utility survey must be conducted prior to the start of any excavation. Call 811, or visit call811.com.
  • Ticket can also be submitted online in New York State by visiting udigny.org. 
• All employees working in an excavation must receive initial training. 

A competent person must be clearly identified for all excavations. This person must be knowledgeable in assessing soil conditions, the use of protective systems, and OSHA requirements.