Section 4: Open-cast earthworks.

In order to take the appropriate safety measures, if necessary, and before starting any earthworks, the employer must obtain information from the relevant road authority in the case of work on public property, or from the owner in the case of work on private property: 1° The possible existence of soil deposits; 2° The location and nature of any underground pipes or cables that may be in the area where…

Trees, boulders, equipment, materials and objects of any kind in the vicinity of the site where excavations are being undertaken must be removed or securely held when it appears that their equilibrium may be compromised during the execution of the work.

Trenches more than 1.30 metres deep and no more than two-thirds the width of the trench must be shored, braced or propped if their walls are vertical or substantially vertical. The walls of other trenches, as well as those of excavations or mounds, must be designed to prevent landslides, taking into account the nature and condition of the soil. If this is not possible, shoring, struts or props appropriate to…

In determining the inclination to be given to the walls or in establishing the shoring, struts and props of trench excavations or excavations, account shall be taken of overloads due to constructions or deposits of any kind, such as miscellaneous materials, spoil, equipment, existing in the vicinity, as well as overloads and foreseeable shaking due to traffic on carriageways, tracks and railways in the vicinity of the excavations.

Underpinning of foundations may only be carried out in small sections and as and when the shoring, struts or props put in place ensure sufficient safety. However, this requirement does not preclude the use of special procedures that provide workers with at least equivalent safety.

The slopes and crests of the walls are cleared of any elements that could pose a fall hazard.

Where overhanging parts of a property cannot be demolished, appropriate measures, such as shoring and consolidation, are taken to prevent them from collapsing.

Shoring, struts and props are installed as soon as work progresses.

When the various components of a shoring system are assembled outside the excavation, the height of these components is at least equal to the total depth of the excavation. To avoid any tipping over or displacement, the shoring, after being lowered into the excavation, is suitably wedged.

In order to prevent spoil, materials, tools or objects of any kind from falling into trenches more than 1.30 metres deep, the trenches must be surrounded by plinths at least 15 centimetres high or have a shoring system with components at least 15 centimetres above ground level.