Because of a lack of distinction between a trench and an excavation, both shall be considered an excavation for the purpose of this document and both are subject to the same requirements. In many cases, workers receive no warning when excavated ground collapses, and they find themselves trapped under tons of soil. Excavations can also damage underground utilities. Besides being costly to repair and a disruption to campus activities, damage to utilities can cause significant property damage, serious injury or even death.
Excavations can also present a fall-hazard to both workers and pedestrians.
Note the deteriorated fencing. Prior to excavation at UWM, underground utilities shall be marked according to the following color codes in accordance with Wisconsin Statute 182.0175 and ANSI Standard Z53.1. Examples of minimally acceptable protection may include cyclone fencing, complete barricading, or OSHA standard railings around the entire site. Plastic barricade tape at the edge of an excavation is not acceptable site protection and will not be tolerated. The means of egress shall not be more than 25 feet from any worker in the excavation.