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    OSHA 2226

    2002 (Revised)

    Excavations

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    U.S. Department of LaborElaine L. Chao, Secretary

    Occupational Safety and Health AdministrationJohn L. Henshaw, Assistant Secretary

    OSHA 22262002 (Revised)

    Excavations

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    Contents

    Introduction ..............................................................1

    What is the difference betweenan excavation and a trench? ......................................... 1

    What are the dangers of trenching

    and excavation operations? .......................................... 1

    OSHAs Excavation and Trenching Standard ............. 2

    What does the OSHA standard cover,and what protections does it offer? .............................. 2

    What kinds of excavationsand trenches are not covered? ..................................... 2

    Preplanning ............................................................. 4

    Why is it important topreplan the excavation work? ....................................... 4

    What safety factors should you considerwhen bidding on a job? ................................................ 4

    How can you avoid hitting undergroundutility lines and pipes during excavation work? .............. 5

    What should you tell workersbefore they start the project? ....................................... 6

    Protective Systems .................................................. 7

    How can you prevent cave-ins? .................................... 7

    How do you choose the mostappropriate protective system design? ......................... 7

    What other safety precautionsare you required to take? ........................................... 10

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    How do you safely install andremove protective systems? ....................................... 10

    How should you maintain materials andequipment used for protective systems? ..................... 11

    Additional Hazards and Protections ........................ 12

    What other excavation hazards do

    you need to protect workers against? ......................... 12What is the effect of wateraccumulation on excavation safety? ............................. 13

    How can you protect workers againsthazardous atmospheres inside excavations? ................ 13

    What means of access andegress are you required to provide? ........................... 14

    What protective equipment areemployees in pier holes and confinedfooting excavations required to use? ........................... 14

    When should you conduct a site inspection? ................ 15

    OSHA Assistance, Services, and Programs ............. 16

    How can OSHA help me? ......................................... 16

    How does safety and health program managementassistance help employers and employees? ................ 16

    What are state plans? ............................................... 17

    How can consultationassistance help employers? ........................................ 17

    Who can get consultationassistance and what does it cost? ............................... 18

    Can OSHA assure privacy to an employerwho asks for consultation assistance? ......................... 18

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    Can an employer be cited for violationsafter receiving consultation assistance? ....................... 19

    Does OSHA provide any incentivesfor seeking consultation assistance? ............................ 19

    What are the Voluntary ProtectionPrograms (VPP)? ..................................................... 19

    How do the VPP work? ............................................. 20How do VPP help employers and employees? ............ 20

    How does OSHA monitor VPP sites? ......................... 21

    Can OSHA inspect an employerwho is participating in the VPP? ................................. 21

    How can a partnership with OSHA

    improve worker safety and health? ............................. 22

    What is OSHAs StrategicPartnership Program (OSPP)? .................................. 22

    What do OSPPs do? ................................................ 22

    What are the different kinds of OSPPs? .................... 23

    What are the benefits ofparticipation in the OSPP? ........................................ 23

    Does OSHA have occupational safety andhealth training for employers and employees? ............. 24

    Does OSHA give money to organizationsfor training and education? ........................................ 25

    Does OSHA have otherassistance materials available? ................................... 26

    What do I do in case of any emergencyor if I need to file a complaint? ................................... 26

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    OSHA Regional and Area Offices ........................... 27OSHA-Approved Safetyand Health Plans ................................................... 31

    OSHA Onsite Consultation Offices ......................... 35

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    IntroductionExcavation and trenching are among the most hazardous

    construction operations. The Occupational Safety andHealth Administrations (OSHA) Excavation and Trenchingstandard, Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulation(CFR),Part 1926.650, covers requirements for excavation andtrenching operations. This booklet highlights key elements

    of the standard, shows ways to protect employees againstcave-ins, and describes safe work practices for employees.

    What is the difference betweenan excavation and a trench?

    OSHA defines an excavation as any man-made cut, cavity,

    trench, or depression in the earths surface formed by earthremoval. This can include excavations for anything fromcellars to highways. A trench is defined as a narrowunderground excavation that is deeper than it is wide,and no wider than 15 feet (4.5 meters).

    What are the dangers of trenching

    and excavation operations?

    Trenching and excavation work presents serious hazards toall workers involved. Cave-ins pose the greatest risk and aremuch more likely than other excavation-related accidents toresult in worker fatalities. Other potential hazards includefalls, falling loads, hazardous atmospheres, and incidentsinvolving mobile equipment.

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    OSHAs Excavationand Trenching Standard

    What does the OSHA standard cover,and what protections does it offer?

    The rule applies to all open excavations made in theearths surface, including trenches. Strict compliance withall sections of the standard will prevent or greatly reduce therisk of cave-ins as well as other excavation-related accidents.

    What kinds of excavationsand trenches are not covered?

    The standard does not apply to house foundation/basement excavations, including those that become trenchesby definition when constructing formwork, foundations, orwalls. For this exemption to apply, all the following conditionsmust exist:

    The excavation is less than 7-1/2 feet (2.5 meters)deep or is benched for at least 2 feet (.61 meters)

    horizontally for every 5 feet (1.52 meters) or less ofvertical height;

    The bottom of the excavation, from the excavation faceto the formwork or wall, is at least 2 feet (.61 meters)wide, and wider if possible;

    No water, surface tension cracks, or other environmentalconditions reduce the excavations stability;

    No heavy equipment is vibrating the excavation whileemployees are in it;

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    Soil, equipment, and material surcharge loads areno closer to the top edge of the excavation than theexcavation is deep. When you use front-end loadersto dig the excavations, place the soil surcharge load asfar back from the edge of the excavation as possible,but never closer than 2 feet (.61 meters);

    The fewest crew members possible are performingthe work; and

    Workers spend the minimum time possible in theexcavation.

    This exemption does not apply to utility excavations ortrenches, which are covered by29 CFR1926.652.

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    Preplanning

    Why is it important topreplan the excavation work?

    No matter how many trenching, shoring, and backfillingjobs you have done in the past, it is important to approach

    each new job with the utmost care and preparation. Manyon-the-job accidents result directly from inadequate initialplanning. Waiting until after the work has started to correctmistakes in shoring or sloping slows down the operation,adds to the cost, and increases the possibility of a cave-inor other excavation failure.

    What safety factors should you considerwhen bidding on a job?

    Before preparing a bid, you will want to know as much aspossible about the jobsite and the materials you will need tohave on hand to perform the work safely and in compliancewith OSHA standards. A safety checklist may prove helpfulwhen you consider specific site conditions such as the

    following:

    Traffic,

    Proximity and physical conditions of nearby structures,

    Soil,

    Surface and ground water,

    Location of the water table,

    Overhead and underground utilities, and

    Weather.

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    You can determine these and other conditions throughjobsite studies, observations, test borings for soil type orconditions, and consultations with local officials and utilitycompanies. This information will help you determine theamount, kind, and cost of safety equipment you will needto perform the work in the safest manner possible.

    How can you avoid hitting undergroundutility lines and pipes during excavation work?

    Before starting work, the OSHA standard requires youto do the following:

    Determine the approximate location of utilityinstallationssewer, telephone, fuel, electric, andwater lines; or any other underground installations;

    Contact the utility companies or owners involved toinform them of the proposed work within establishedor customary local response times; and

    Ask the utility companies or owners to find the exactlocation of underground installations. If they cannotrespond within 24 hours (unless the period required by

    state or local law is longer) or cannot find the exact locationof the utility installations, you may proceed with caution.

    If your excavation work exposes underground installations,OSHA regulations require you to protect, properly support,or remove them.

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    What should you tell workersbefore they start the project?

    When you share the details of your safety and healthprogram with employees, it is important to emphasize thecritical role you expect them to play in keeping the jobsitesafe. You may want to emphasize specific rules to helpreduce the risk of on-the-job injuries. These rules may

    include requirements that workers

    Remove or minimize all surface obstacles at theworksite that may create a hazard,

    Wear warning vests or other reflective or high-visibilitygarments that you provide when they are exposed tovehicular traffic,

    Wear or use prescribed protective gear and equipmentcorrectly,

    Operate equipment only if they have been trainedproperly in its use and alerted to its potential hazards,and

    Follow safe work practices.

    It also is important to establish and maintain a safetyand health management system for the worksite thatprovides adequate systematic policies, procedures, andpractices to protect employees from, and allow them torecognize, job-related safety and health hazards. For moreinformation about establishing such a system, see page 18.

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    Protective Systems

    How can you prevent cave-ins?

    OSHA requires that all excavations in which employeescould potentially be exposed to cave-ins be protected by

    Sloping or benching the sides of the excavation, Supporting the sides of the excavation, or

    Placing a shield between the side of the excavation andthe work area.

    How do you choose the most

    appropriate protective system design?Designing a protective system can be complex because you

    must consider many factors: soil classification, depth of cut,water content of soil, changes due to weather and climate,or other operations in the vicinity. You are free to choose themost practical design approach for any particular circumstance.Once you have selected an approach, however, the system must

    meet the required performance criteria.The OSHA standard describes methods and approaches

    for designing protective systems such as the following:

    Method 1 Slope the sides to an angle not steeperthan 1-1/2:1; for example, for every foot of depth, thetrench must be excavated back 1-1/2 feet. All simple slopeexcavations 20 feet (6.11 meters) or less deep should have

    a maximum allowable slope of 1-1/2:1. These slopes mustbe excavated to form configurations similar to those for TypeC soil, as described in Appendix B of the standard. A slopeof this gradation or less is safe for any type of soil.

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    20 Max.

    1-1/2

    1

    Figure 1. Excavations Made in Type C Soil

    Method 2 Use tabulated data such as tables and chartsapproved by a registered professional engineer to design theexcavation. These data must be in writing and must includeenough explanatory information, including the criteria for makinga selection and the limits on the use of the data,for the user

    to make a selection. At least one copy of the data, includingthe identity of the registered professional engineer whoapproved it, must be kept at the worksite during constructionof the protective system. After the system is completed,thedata may be stored away from the jobsite, but a copy mustbe provided upon request to the Assistant Secretary of Laborfor OSHA.

    Method 3 Use a trench box or shield designed or

    approved by a registered professional engineer or basedon tabulated data prepared or approved by a registeredprofessional engineer. Timber, aluminum, or other suitablematerials may also be used. OSHA standards permit theuse of a trench shield (also known as a welders hut) if itprovides the same level of protection or more than theappropriate shoring system.

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    Figure 2. Trench Shields

    Employers can choose the most practical method for

    the particular circumstance, but that system must meetthe required performance criteria. The standard does notrequire a protective system when an excavation is madeentirely in stable rock or is less than 5 feet (1.52 meters)deep, if a competent person has examined the ground andfound no indication of a potential cave-in.

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    What other safety precautionsare you required to take?

    The standard requires you to provide support systemssuch as shoring, bracing, or underpinning to ensure thatadjacent structures such as buildings, walls, sidewalks,or pavements remain stable. The standard also prohibitsexcavation below the base or footing of any foundation or

    retaining wall unless You provide a support system such as underpinning,

    The excavation is in stable rock, or

    A registered professional engineer determines that thestructure is far enough away from the excavation andthat excavation will not pose a hazard to employees.

    Excavations under sidewalks and pavements areprohibited unless you provide an appropriately designedsupport system or another effective means of support.

    How do you safely install andremove protective systems?

    The standard requires you to take the following steps toprotect employees when installing support systems:

    Connect members of support systems securely,

    Install support systems safely,

    Avoid overloading members of support systems, and

    Install other structural members to carry loads imposed

    on the support system when you need to removeindividual members temporarily.

    In addition, the standard permits excavation of 2 feet(.61 meters) or less below the bottom of the members of a

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    support or shield system of a trench if the system is designedto resist the forces calculated for the full depth of the trench.In addition, there must be no indications, while the trench isopen, of a possible cave-in below the bottom of the supportsystem. Also, you must coordinate the installation of supportsystems closely with the excavation work.

    As soon as work is completed, you are required to backfillthe excavation when you dismantle the protective system.After the excavation is cleared, remove the protective systemfrom the bottom up, taking care to release members slowly.

    How should you maintain materials andequipment used for protective systems?

    You are responsible for maintaining materials andequipment used for protective systems. Defective anddamaged materials and equipment can cause failure ofa protective system and other excavation hazards.

    To avoid possible failure of a protective system, youmust ensure that

    Materials and equipment are free from damage or

    defects; Manufactured materials and equipment are used

    and maintained consistent with the manufacturersrecommendations, so as to prevent employee exposureto hazards; and while in operation,

    A competent person examines any damaged materialsand equipment. You must remove unsafe materials and

    equipment from service until a registered professionalengineer evaluates and approves them for use.

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    Additional Hazards and Protections

    What other excavation hazards doyou need to protect workers against?

    In addition to cave-ins and related hazards, workersinvolved in excavation work also are exposed to hazards

    involving falls, falling loads, and mobile equipment. Toprotect employees from these hazards, OSHA requires youto take the following precautions:

    Keep materials or equipment that might fall or roll intoan excavation at least 2 feet (.61 meters) from theedge of excavations, or use retaining devices, or both.

    Provide warning systems such as mobile equipment,barricades, hand or mechanical signals, or stop logs toalert operators to the edge of an excavation. If possible,keep the grade away from the excavation.

    Provide scaling to remove loose rock or soil, or installprotective barricades and other equivalent protection toprotect employees against falling rock, soil, or materials.

    Prohibit employees from working on faces of sloped orbenched excavations at levels above other employeesunless you provide the employees at the lower levelsadequate protection from the hazard of falling, rolling,or sliding material or equipment.

    Prohibit employees from standing or working underloads being handled by lifting or digging equipment.Require workers to stand away from vehicles being

    loaded or unloaded to protect them from being struckby any spillage or falling materials. You may permitoperators to remain inside cabs of vehicles if theyprovide adequate protection from falling loads duringloading and unloading operations.

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    What is the effect of wateraccumulation on excavation safety?

    Among the additional hazards stemming fromwater in an excavation are undermining the sides andmaking it more difficult to get out of the excavation.The OSHA standard prohibits employees from workingwithout adequate protection in excavations where waterhas accumulated or is accumulating. If you use waterremoval equipment to control or prevent water accumulation,you must ensure that a competent person monitors theequipment and its operation to ensure proper use. OSHAstandards also require the use of diversion ditches, dikes,or other suitable means to prevent surface water fromentering an excavation and to provide adequate drainageof the adjacent area. In addition, a competent person mustinspect excavations subject to runoffs from heavy rains.

    How can you protect workers againsthazardous atmospheres inside excavations?

    A competent person must test any excavation deeperthan 4 feet (1.22 meters) or where an oxygen deficiency ora hazardousatmosphere is present or could reasonably beexpected, such as a landfill or where hazardous substancesare stored nearby, before an employee enters it. If there areany hazardous conditions, you must provide the employeecontrols such as proper respiratory protection or ventilation.In addition, you are responsible for regularly testing allcontrols used to reduce atmospheric contaminants toacceptable levels.

    If unhealthful atmospheric conditions exist or develop in anexcavation, you must provide emergency rescue equipmentsuch as a breathing apparatus, safety harness and line,and basket stretcher and ensure that it is readily available.This equipment must be attended when in use.

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    What means of access andegress are you required to provide?

    OSHA requires you to provide safe access and egress toall excavations, including ladders, steps, ramps, or other safemeans of exit for employees working in trench excavations4 feet (1.22 meters) or deeper. These devices must belocatedin the excavation within 25 feet (7.62 meters) of

    all workers.

    Any structural ramps you use in your operation mustbe designed by a competent person if they are used foremployee access or egress, or by a competent personqualified in structural design if they are used for vehicles.Also, structural members used for ramps or runways mustbe uniform in thickness and joined in a manner to prevent

    tripping or displacement.

    What protective equipment areemployees in pier holes and confinedfooting excavations required to use?

    An employee who enters a bell-bottom pier hole or similar

    deep and confined footing excavation must wear a harnesswith a lifeline. The lifeline must be attached securely to theharness and must be separate from any line used to handlematerials. Also, while the employee wearing the lifeline is inthe excavation, an observer must be on hand to ensure thatthe lifeline is working properly and maintain communicationwith the employee.

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    When should you conduct a site inspection?The standard requires that a competent person inspect an

    excavation and the areas around it daily for possible cave-ins,failures of protective systems and equipment, hazardousatmospheres, or other hazardous conditions. Inspectionsalso are required after natural events such as heavy rainsor manmade events such as blasting that may increase the

    potential for hazards. If the inspector finds any unsafeconditions during an inspection, you must clear employeesfrom the hazardous area until you take safety precautions.

    The standard also requires that a competent personinspect excavations and the adjacent areas daily for possiblecave-ins, failures of protective systems and equipment,hazardous atmospheres, and other hazardous conditions.If the competent person finds these conditions, all exposedemployees must leave the hazardous area until necessarysafety precautions are taken.

    Larger and more complex operations should havea full-time safety official who makes recommendations toimprove implementation of the safety plan. In a smalleroperation, the safety official may be part-time and usuallywill be a supervisor.

    Supervisors are the contractors representatives on thejob. Supervisors should conduct inspections, investigateaccidents, and anticipate hazards. They should ensure thatemployees receive on-the-job safety and health training.They also should review and strengthen overall safety andhealth precautions to guard against potential hazards, getthe necessary worker cooperation in safety matters, and

    make frequent reports to the contractor.

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    OSHA Assistance,Services, and Programs

    How can OSHA help me?

    OSHA can provide extensive help through a variety ofprograms, including assistance about safety and health

    programs, state plans, workplace consultations, VoluntaryProtection Programs, strategic partnerships, training andeducation, and more.

    How does safety and health programmanagement help employers and employees?

    Effective management of worker safety and healthprotection is a decisive factor in reducing the extent andseverity of work-related injuries and illnesses and theirrelated costs. In fact, an effective safety and healthmanagement system forms the basis of good workerprotection and can save time and moneyabout $4 forevery dollar spentand increase productivity.

    To assist employers and employees in developing effective

    safety and health programs, OSHA published recommendedSafety and Health Program Management Guidelines(Federal Register54(18):39043916, January 26, 1989).These voluntary guidelines can be applied to all worksitescovered by OSHA.

    The guidelines identify four general elements criticalto the development of a successful safety and health

    management program: Management leadership and employee participation,

    Worksite analysis,

    Hazard prevention and control, and

    Safety and health training.

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    The guidelines recommend specific actions under each ofthese general elements to achieve an effective safety andhealth program. The Federal Registernotice is availableonline at www.osha.gov.

    What are state plans?

    State plans are OSHA-approved job safety and healthprograms operated by individual states or territories insteadof Federal OSHA. The Occupational Safety and HealthAct of 1970(OSH Act) encourages states to develop andoperate their own job safety and health plans and permitsstate enforcement of OSHA standards if the state has anapproved plan. Once OSHA approves a state plan, it funds50 percent of the programs operating costs. State plans

    must provide standards and enforcement programs, aswell as voluntary compliance activities, that are at leastas effective as those of Federal OSHA.

    There are 26 state plans: 23 cover both private andpublic (state and local government) employment, and3 (Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York) cover only thepublic sector. For more information on state plans, seethe listing at the end of this publication, or visit OSHAs

    website at www.osha.gov.

    How can consultationassistance help employers?

    In addition to helping employers identify and correctspecific hazards, OSHAs consultation service provides free,

    onsite assistance in developing and implementing effectiveworkplace safety and health management systems thatemphasize the prevention of worker injuries and illnesses.

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    Comprehensive consultation assistance provided byOSHA includes a hazard survey of the worksite and anappraisal of all aspects of the employers existing safety andhealth management system. In addition, the service offersassistance to employers in developing and implementing aneffective safety and health management system. Employersalso may receive training and education services, as well aslimited assistance away from the worksite.

    Who can get consultationassistance and what does it cost?

    Consultation assistance is available to small employers(with fewer than 250 employees at a fixed site and no morethan 500 corporatewide) who want help in establishing and

    maintaining a safe and healthful workplace.Funded largely by OSHA, the service is provided at

    no cost to the employer. Primarily developed for smalleremployers with more hazardous operations, the consultationservice is delivered by state governments employingprofessional safety and health consultants. No penalties areproposed or citations issued for hazards identified by the

    consultant. The employers only obligation is to correct allidentified serious hazards within the agreed-upon correctiontime frame.

    Can OSHA assure privacy to an employerwho asks for consultation assistance?

    OSHA provides consultation assistance to the employerwith the assurance that his or her name and firm and anyinformation about the workplace will not be routinelyreported to OSHA enforcement staff.

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    Can an employer be cited for violationsafter receiving consultation assistance?

    If an employer fails to eliminate or control a serious hazardwithin the agreed-upon time frame, the consultation projectmanager must refer the situation to the OSHA enforcementoffice for appropriate action.This is a rare occurrence, however,since employers request the service for the expressed purpose

    ofidentifying and fixing hazards in their workplaces.

    Does OSHA provide any incentivesfor seeking consultation assistance?

    Yes. Under the consultation program, certain exemplaryemployers may request participation in OSHAs Safety

    and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP).Eligibility for participation in SHARP includes, but isnot limited to, receiving a full-service, comprehensiveconsultation visit, correcting all identified hazards, anddeveloping an effective safety and health managementsystem.

    Employers accepted into SHARP may receive an

    exemption from programmed inspections (not complaint oraccident investigation inspections) for a period of 1 yearinitially, or 2 years upon renewal. For more informationconcerning consultation assistance, see the list of consultationoffices beginning on page 42, contact your regional or areaOSHA office, or visit OSHAs website at www.osha.gov.

    What are the Voluntary Protection Programs?Voluntary Protection Programs (VPPs) represent one

    part of OSHAs effort to extend worker protection beyondthe minimum required by OSHA standards. VPPalong

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    with onsite consultation services, full-service area offices,and OSHAs Strategic Partnership Program (OSPP)represents a cooperative approach which, when coupledwith an effective enforcement program, expands workerprotection to help meet the goals of the OSH Act.

    How do the VPP work?

    There are three levels of VPPs: Star, Merit, andDemonstration. All are designed to do the following:

    Recognize employers who have successfully developedand implemented effective and comprehensive safetyand health management systems;

    Encourage these employers to continuously improve

    their safety and health management systems;

    Motivate other employers to achieve excellent safetyand health results in the same outstanding way; and

    Establish a relationship between employers, employees,and OSHA that is based on cooperation.

    How do VPP help employers and employees?VPP participation can mean the following:

    Fewer worker fatalities, injuries, and illnesses;

    Lost-workday case rates generally 50 percent belowindustry averages;

    Lower workers compensation and other injury- andillness-related costs;

    Improved employee motivation to work safely, leadingto a better quality of life at work;

    Positive community recognition and interaction;

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    Further improvement and revitalization of already-goodsafety and health programs; and a

    Positive relationship with OSHA.

    How does OSHA monitor VPP sites?

    OSHA reviews an employers VPP application and

    conducts a VPP Onsite Evaluation to verify that the safetyand health management systems described are operatingeffectively at the site. OSHA conducts onsite evaluations on aregular basis, annually for participants at the Demonstrationlevel, every 18 months for Merit, and every 3 to 5 years forStar. Each February, all participants must send a copy oftheir most recent annual evaluation to their OSHA regionaloffice. This evaluation must include the worksites record of

    injuries and illnesses for the past year.

    Can OSHA inspect an employerwho is participating in the VPP?

    Sites participating in VPP are not scheduled for regular,programmed inspections. OSHA handles any employee

    complaints, serious accidents, or significant chemical releasesthat may occur at VPP sites according to routine enforcementprocedures.

    Additional information on VPP is available from OSHAnational, regional, and area offices, listed beginning onpage 31. Also, see Outreach on OSHAs website atwww.osha.gov.

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    How can a partnership with OSHAimprove worker safety and health?

    OSHA has learned firsthand that voluntary, cooperativepartnerships with employers, employees, and unions canbe a useful alternative to traditional enforcement and aneffective way to reduce worker deaths, injuries, and illnesses.This is especially true when a partnership leads to the

    development and implementation of a comprehensiveworkplace safety and health management system.

    What is OSHAs StrategicPartnership Program (OSPP)?

    OSHA Strategic Partnerships are alliances among labor,

    management, and government to foster improvements inworkplace safety and health. These partnerships arevoluntary, cooperative relationships between OSHA,employers, employee representatives, and others suchas trade unions, trade and professional associations,universities, and other government agencies. OSPPsare the newest of OSHAs cooperative programs.

    What do OSPPs do?

    These partnerships encourage, assist, and recognizethe efforts of the partners to eliminate serious workplacehazards and achieve a high level of worker safety and health.Whereas OSHAs Consultation Program and VPP entailone-on-one relationships between OSHA and individual

    worksites, most strategic partnerships seek to have abroader impact by building cooperative relationships withgroups of employers and employees.

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    What are the different kinds of OSPPs?There are two major types:

    Comprehensive, which focus on establishingcomprehensive safety and health management systemsat partnering worksites; and

    Limited, which help identify and eliminate hazardsassociated with worker deaths, injuries, and illnesses,or have goals other than establishing comprehensiveworksite safety and health programs.

    OSHA is interested in creating new OSPPs at the national,regional, and local levels. OSHA also has found limitedpartnerships to be valuable. Limited partnerships might addressthe elimination or control of a specific industry hazard.

    What are the benefits ofparticipation in the OSPP?

    Like VPP, OSPP can mean the following:

    Fewer worker fatalities, injuries, and illnesses;

    Lower workers compensation and other injury- and

    illness-related costs; Improved employee motivation to work safely, leading

    to a better quality of life at work and enhancedproductivity;

    Positive community recognition and interaction;

    Development of or improvement in safety and health

    management systems; and Positive interaction with OSHA.

    For more information about this program, contact yournearest OSHA office or go to the agency website atwww.osha.gov.

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    Does OSHA have occupational safety andhealth training for employers and employees?

    The OSHA Training Institute in Des Plaines, IL, providesbasic and advanced training and education in safety andhealth for federal and state compliance officers, stateconsultants, other federal agency personnel, and private-sector employers, employees, and their representatives.

    Institute courses cover diverse safety and health topicsincluding electrical hazards, machine guarding, personalprotective equipment, ventilation, and ergonomics. Thefacility includes classrooms, laboratories, a library, andan audiovisual unit. The laboratories contain variousdemonstrations and equipment, such as power presses,woodworking and welding shops, a complete industrial

    ventilation unit, and a sound demonstration laboratory.More than 57 courses dealing with subjects such as safetyand health in the construction industry and methods ofcompliance with OSHA standards are available forpersonnel in the private sector.

    In addition, OSHAs 73 area offices are full-servicecenters offering a variety of informational services such

    as personnel for speaking engagements, publications,audiovisual aids on workplace hazards, and technical advice.

    For more information on grants, training, and education,write: OSHA Training Institute, Office of Training andEducation, 1555 Times Drive, Des Plaines, IL 60018;call (847) 2974810; or see Outreachon OSHAswebsite at www.osha.gov.

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    Does OSHA give money to organizationsfor training and education?

    OSHA awards grants through its Susan Harwood TrainingGrant Program to nonprofit organizations to provide safetyand health training and education to employers and workersin the workplace. The grants focus on programs that willeducate workers and employers in small business (fewer

    than 250 employees), training workers and employersabout new OSHA standards or about high-risk activitiesor hazards. Grants are awarded for 1 year and may berenewed for an additional 12 months depending on whetherthe grantee has performed satisfactorily.

    OSHA expects each organization awarded a grant todevelop a training and/or education program that addresses

    a safety and health topic named by OSHA, recruit workersand employers for the training, and conduct the training.Grantees are also expected to follow up with people whohave been trained to find out what changes were madeto reduce the hazards in their workplaces as a result ofthe training.

    Each year OSHA has a national competition that is

    announced in the Federal Registerand on the Internet atwww.osha-slc.gov/Training/sharwood/sharwood.html.If you do not have access to the Internet, you can contact theOSHA Office of Training and Education, 1555 Times Drive,Des Plaines, IL 60018, (847) 2974810, for moreinformation.

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    Does OSHA have otherassistance materials available?

    OSHA has a variety of materials and tools availableon its website at www.osha.gov. These include eTools,Expert Advisors, Electronic Compliance Assistance Tools(e-CATs), Technical Links, regulations, directives,publications, videos, and other information for employers

    and employees. OSHAs software programs and complianceassistance tools walk you through challenging safety andhealth issues and common problems to find the best solutionsfor your workplace. OSHAs comprehensive publicationsprogram includes more than 100 titles to help youunderstand OSHA requirements and programs.

    OSHAs CD-ROM includes standards, interpretations,

    directives, and more and can be purchased on CD-ROMfrom the U.S.Government Printing Office. To order, write tothe Superintendent of Documents, U.S.Government PrintingOffice, Washington, DC 20402, or phone (202) 5121800.SpecifyOSHA Regulations, Documents and TechnicalInformation on CD-ROM (ORDT), GPO Order No.S/N729-013-00000-5.

    What do I do in case of an emergencyor if I need to file a complaint?

    To report an emergency, file a complaint, or seek OSHAadvice, assistance, or products, call (800) 321OSHA orcontact your nearest OSHA regional or area office listed atthe end of this publication. The teletypewriter (TTY) number

    is (877) 8895627.You can also file a complaint online and obtain more

    information on OSHA federal and state programs by visitingOSHAs website at www.osha.gov.

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    OSHA Regional and Area Offices

    OSHA Regional Offices

    *These states and territories operate their own OSHA-approvedjob safety and health programs (Connecticut, New Jersey andNew York plans cover public employees only). States withapproved programs must have a standard that is identical to,or at least as effective as, the federal standard.

    Region I(CT,* ME, MA, NH, RI, VT*)JFK Federal Building, Room E340Boston, MA 02203

    (617) 5659860

    Region II(NJ,* NY,* PR,* VI*)201 Varick Street, Room 670New York, NY 10014(212) 3372378

    Region III(DE, DC, MD,* PA,* VA,* WV)

    The Curtis Center170 S. Independence Mall WestSuite 740 WestPhiladelphia, PA 19106-3309(215) 8614900

    Region IV(AL, FL, GA, KY,* MS,NC,* SC,* TN*)

    SNAF61 Forsyth Street SWRoom 6T50Atlanta, GA 30303(404) 5622300

    Region V(IL, IN,* MI,* MN,* OH, WI)230 South Dearborn Street,Room 3244

    Chicago, IL 60604(312) 3532220

    Region VI(AR, LA, NM,* OK, TX)525 Griffin Street, Room 602Dallas, TX 75202

    (214) 7674731 or 4736 x224

    Region VII(IA,* KS, MO, NE)City Center Square1100 Main Street, Suite 800Kansas City, MO 64105(816) 4265861

    Region VIII(CO, MT, ND, SD, UT,* WY*)1999 Broadway, Suite 1690PO Box 46550Denver, CO 80202-5716(303) 8441600

    Region IX(American Samoa, AZ,* CA,* HI,NV,* Northern Mariana Islands)

    71 Stevenson Street, Room 420San Francisco, CA 94105(415) 9754310

    Region X(AK,* ID, OR,* WA*)1111 Third Avenue, Suite 715Seattle, WA 98101-3212(206) 5535930

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    OSHA Area OfficesAnchorage, AK(907) 2715152

    Birmingham, AL(205) 7311534

    Mobile, AL(334) 4416131

    Little Rock, AR(501) 3246291 (5818)

    Phoenix, AZ(602) 6402348

    Sacramento, CA(916) 5667471

    San Diego, CA

    (619) 5575909

    Denver, CO(303) 8445285

    Englewood, CO(303) 8434500

    Bridgeport, CT(203) 5795581

    Hartford, CT(860) 2403152

    Wilmington, DE(302) 5736518

    Fort Lauderdale, FL(954) 4240242

    Jacksonville, FL

    (904) 2322895Tampa, FL(813) 6261177

    Savannah, GA(912) 6524393

    Smyrna, GA(770) 9848700

    Tucker, GA(770) 4936644/6742/8419

    Des Moines, IA(515) 2844794

    Boise, ID(208) 3212960

    Calumet City, IL(708) 8913800

    Des Plaines, IL(847) 8034800

    Fairview Heights, IL

    (618) 6328612

    North Aurora, IL(630) 8968700

    Peoria, IL(309) 6717033

    Indianapolis, IN(317) 2267290

    Wichita, KS(316) 2696644

    Frankfort, KY(502) 2277024

    Baton Rouge, LA(225) 3890474 (0431)

    Braintree, MA

    (617) 5656924Methuen, MA(617) 5658110

    Springfield, MA(413) 7850123

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    Linthicum, MD(410) 8652055/2056

    August, ME(207) 6228417

    Bangor, ME(207) 9418177

    Portland, ME(207) 7803178

    Lansing, MI(517) 3270904

    Minneapolis, MN(612) 6645460

    Kansas City, MO(816) 4839531

    St. Louis, MO

    (314) 4254289

    Jackson, MS(601) 9654606

    Billings, MT(406) 2477494

    Raleigh, NC(919) 8564770

    Bismark, ND(701) 2504521

    Omaha, NE(402) 2213182

    Concord, NH(603) 2251629

    Avenel, NJ

    (732) 7503270Hasbrouck Heights, NJ(201) 2881700

    Marlton, NJ(609) 7575181

    Parsippany, NJ(973) 2631003

    Albuquerque, NM(505) 2485302

    Carson City, NV(775) 8856963

    Albany, NY(518) 4644338

    Bayside, NY(718) 2799060

    Bowmansville, NY(716) 6843891

    New York, NY(212) 4662482

    North Syracuse, NY

    (315) 4510808

    Tarrytown, NY(914) 5247510

    Westbury, NY(516) 3343344

    Cincinnati, OH(513) 8414132

    Cleveland, OH(216) 5223818

    Columbus, OH(614) 4695582

    Toledo, OH(419) 2597542

    Oklahoma City, OK

    (405) 2315351 (5389)Portland, OR(503) 3262251

    Allentown, PA(610) 7760592

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    Erie, PA(814) 8335758

    Harrisburg, PA(717) 7823902

    Philadelphia, PA(215) 5974955

    Pittsburgh, PA(412) 3954903

    WilkesBarre, PA(570) 8266538

    Guaynabo, PR

    (787) 2771560

    Providence, RI(401) 5284669

    Columbia, SC(803) 7655904

    Nashville, TN(615) 7815423

    Austin, TX(512) 9165783 (5788)

    Corpus Christi, TX(512) 8883420

    Dallas, TX(214) 3202400 (2558)

    El Paso, TX(915) 5346251

    Fort Worth, TX(817) 4282470 (4857647)

    Houston, TX(281) 5912438 (2787)

    Houston, TX(281) 2860583/0584 (5922)

    Lubbock, TX(806) 4727681 (7685)

    Salt Lake City, UT(801) 5306901

    Norfolk, VA(757) 4413820

    Bellevue, WA(206) 5537520

    Appleton, WI

    (920) 7344521

    Eau Claire, WI(715) 8329019

    Madison, WI(608) 2645388

    Milwaukee, WI(414) 2973315

    Charleston, WV(304) 3475937

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    OSHA-ApprovedSafety and Health Plans

    Alaska

    Alaska Department of Laborand Workforce Development

    Commissioner(907) 4652700FAX: (907) 4652784

    Program Director(907) 2694904FAX: (907) 2694915

    Arizona

    Industrial Commissionof Arizona

    Director, ICA(602) 5424411FAX: (602) 5421614

    Program Director(602) 5425795FAX: (602) 5421614

    California

    California Department ofIndustrial Relations

    Director(415) 7035050FAX: (415) 7035114

    Chief(415) 7035100FAX: (415) 7035114

    Manager, Cal/OSHAProgram Office(415) 7035177FAX: (415) 7035114

    Connecticut

    Connecticut Departmentof Labor

    Commissioner(860) 5665123FAX: (860) 5661520

    Conn-OSHA Director(860) 5664550FAX: (860) 5666916

    Hawaii

    Hawaii Department of Laborand Industrial Relations

    Director(808) 5868844FAX: (808) 5869099

    Administrator(808) 5869116FAX: (808) 5869104

    Indiana

    Indiana Department of Labor

    Commissioner(317) 2322378FAX: (317) 2333790

    Deputy Commissioner

    (317) 2323325FAX: (317) 2333790

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    IowaIowa Division of Labor

    Commissioner(515) 2816432FAX: (515) 2814698

    Administrator(515) 2813469FAX: (515) 2817995

    Kentucky

    Kentucky Labor CabinetSecretary (502) 5643070FAX: (502) 5645387

    Federal\State Coordinator(502) 5643070 ext.240

    FAX: (502) 5641682

    Maryland

    Maryland Division of Laborand Industry

    Commissioner(410) 7672999FAX: (410) 7672300

    Deputy Commissioner(410) 7672992FAX: (410) 7672003

    Assistant Commissioner, MOSH(410) 7672215FAX: (410) 7672003

    Michigan

    Michigan Department ofConsumer and Industry Services

    Director(517) 3221814FAX: (517) 3221775

    MinnesotaMinnesota Department ofLabor and Industry

    Commissioner(651) 2962342FAX: (651) 2825405

    Assistant Commissioner(651) 2966529

    FAX: (651) 2825293

    Administrative Director,OSHA Management Team(651) 2825772FAX: (651) 2972527

    Nevada

    Nevada Division ofIndustrial Relations

    Administrator(775) 6873032FAX: (775) 6876305

    Chief Administrative Officer(702) 4869044FAX: (702) 9900358

    [Las Vegas (702) 6875240]

    New Jersey

    New Jersey Department of Labor

    Commissioner(609) 2922975FAX: (609) 6339271

    Assistant Commissioner(609) 2922313FAX: (609) 2921314

    Program Director, PEOSH(609) 2923923FAX: (609) 2924409

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    New MexicoNew Mexico EnvironmentDepartment

    Secretary(505) 8272850FAX: (505) 8272836

    Chief(505) 8274230

    FAX: (505) 8274422

    New York

    New York Department of Labor

    Acting Commissioner(518) 4572741FAX: (518) 4576908

    Division Director(518) 4573518FAX: (518) 4576908

    North Carolina

    North Carolina Departmentof Labor

    Commissioner

    (919) 8072900FAX: (919) 8072855

    Deputy Commissioner,OSH Director(919) 8072861FAX: (919) 8072855

    OSH Assistant Director(919) 8072863FAX: (919) 8072856

    Oregon

    Oregon Occupational Safetyand Health Division

    Administrator(503) 3783272FAX: (503) 9477461

    Deputy Administrator for Policy(503) 3783272FAX: (503) 9477461

    Deputy Administratorfor Operations

    (503) 3783272FAX: (503) 9477461

    Puerto Rico

    Puerto Rico Department ofLabor and Human Resources

    Secretary(787) 7542119

    FAX: (787) 7539550Assistant Secretary forOccupational Safety and Health(787) 7561100,1106 / 7542171FAX: (787) 7676051

    Deputy Director forOccupational Safety and Health

    (787) 7561100/1106,7542188FAX: (787) 7676051

    South Carolina

    South Carolina Department ofLabor, Licensing, and Regulation

    Director(803) 8964300FAX: (803) 8964393

    Program Director(803) 7349644FAX: (803) 7349772

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    VirginiaVirginia Department of Laborand Industry

    Commissioner(804) 7862377FAX: (804) 3716524

    Director, Office of Legal Support(804) 7869873

    FAX: (804) 7868418

    Washington

    Washington Department of Laborand Industries

    Director(360) 9024200

    FAX: (360) 9024202Assistant Director(360) 9025495FAX: (360) 9025529

    Program Manager,FederalState Operations(360) 9025430FAX: (360) 9025529

    Wyoming

    Wyoming Department ofEmployment

    Safety Administrator(307) 7777786FAX: (307) 7773646

    TennesseeTennessee Department of Labor

    Commissioner(615) 7412582FAX: (615) 7415078

    Acting Program Director(615) 7412793FAX: (615) 7413325

    Utah

    Utah Labor Commission

    Commissioner(801) 5306901FAX: (801) 5307906

    Administrator

    (801) 5306898FAX: (801) 5306390

    Vermont

    Vermont Department ofLabor and Industry

    Commissioner(802) 8282288

    FAX: (802) 8282748

    Project Manager(802) 8282765FAX: (802) 8282195

    Virgin Islands

    Virgin Islands Departmentof Labor

    Acting Commissioner(340) 7731990FAX: (340) 7731858

    Program Director(340) 7721315FAX: (340) 7724323

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    OSHA Onsite Consultation Offices

    Alabama

    (205) 3483033(205) 3483049 FAX

    Alaska

    (907) 2694957(907) 2694950 FAX

    Arizona

    (602) 5421695(602) 5421614FAX

    Arkansas

    (501) 6824522(501) 6824532 FAX

    California

    (415) 7035270(415) 7034596 FAX

    Colorado(970) 4916151(970) 4917778 FAX

    Connecticut

    (860) 5664550(860) 5666916 FAX

    Delaware(302) 7618219(302) 7616601 FAX

    District of Columbia

    (202) 5766339(202) 5767579 FAX

    Florida

    (813) 9749962

    Georgia

    (404) 8942643

    (404) 8948275 FAX

    Guam

    011 (671) 4750136011 (671) 4772988 FAX

    Hawaii

    (808) 5869100(808) 5869099 FAX

    Idaho

    (208) 4263283(208) 4264411 FAX

    Illinois

    (312) 8142337(312) 8147238 FAX

    Indiana

    (317) 2322688(317) 2323790 FAX

    Iowa

    (515) 2817629(515) 2815522 FAX

    Kansas

    (785) 2967476(785) 2961775 FAX

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    3636363636

    Kentucky(502) 5646895(502) 5646103 FAX

    Louisiana

    (225) 3429601(225) 3425158 FAX

    Maine(207) 6246460(207) 6246449 FAX

    Maryland

    (410) 8804970(301) 4838332 FAX

    Massachusetts(617) 7273982(617) 7274581 FAX

    Michigan

    (517) 3221809(517) 3221374 FAX

    Minnesota

    (612) 2972393(612) 2971953 FAX

    Mississippi

    (601) 9873981(601) 9873890 FAX

    Missouri

    (573) 7513403(573) 7513721 FAX

    Montana

    (406) 4446418(406) 4444140 FAX

    Nebraska(402) 4714717(402) 4715039 FAX

    Nevada

    (702) 4869140(702) 9900362 FAX

    New Hampshire(603) 2712024(603) 2712667 FAX

    New Jersey

    (609) 2923923(609) 2924409 FAX

    New Mexico

    (505) 8274230(505) 8274422 FAX

    New York

    (518) 4572238(518) 4573454 FAX

    North Carolina

    (919) 8072905(919) 8072902 FAX

    North Dakota

    (701) 3285188(701) 3285200 FAX

    Ohio

    (800) 2821425 or(614) 6442631(614) 6443133 FAX

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    3737373737

    Oklahoma(405) 5281500(405) 5285751 FAX

    Oregon

    (503) 3783272(503) 3785729 FAX

    Pennsylvania(724) 3572396(724) 3572385 FAX

    Puerto Rico

    (787) 7542171(787) 7676051 FAX

    Rhode Island

    (401) 2222438(401) 2222456 FAX

    South Carolina

    (803) 7349614(803) 7349741 FAX

    South Dakota

    (605) 6884101(605) 6886290 FAX

    Tennessee

    (615) 7417036(615) 5322997 FAX

    Texas

    (512) 8044640(512) 8044641 FAXOSHCON Request Line:(800) 6877080

    Utah(801) 5306901(801) 5306992 FAX

    Vermont

    (802) 8282765(802) 8282195 FAX

    Virginia(804) 7866359(804) 7868418 FAX

    Virgin Islands

    (340) 7721315(340) 7724323 FAX

    Washington

    (360) 9025638(360) 9025459 FAX

    West Virginia

    (304) 5587890(304) 5589711 FAX

    Wisconsin (Health)

    (608) 2668579(608) 2669383 FAX

    Wisconsin (Safety)

    (262) 5233040(800) 9470553

    (262) 5233046 FAX

    Wyoming

    (307) 7777786(307) 7773646 FAX

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