Competent Person Inspections

Trenching & Excavation — from the Anvil & Co. course library. What you will learn: • Know when daily inspections are required. • Recognize warning signs of a cave-in. Key points: • A competent person inspects excavations, adjacent areas and protective systems daily before work, as needed during the shift, and after every rainstorm or other hazard-increasing event (1926.651(k)). • Warning signs: cracks at the edge, bulging walls, water seeping, spalling or soil falling in. • If a hazard is found, everyone gets out until it is fixed. • The competent person has authority to stop work. Scenario: It rained overnight and there's a crack 3 feet back from the edge. The crew wants to get in and finish. What happens next?