Scout's Toolbox Talks

Parking too close to a trench puts weight and pressure on the walls, increasing collapse risk.

Why It Matters:

The weight of machines, stacked materials, or even foot traffic can cause trench walls to give way — especially in unstable soil or wet conditions. Keeping distance is key to trench safety.

Key Points:

• Maintain at least 2 feet of clearance from the edge of the trench.
• Never park vehicles, store materials, or stage tools near trench edges.
• Use barricades, cones, or flags to mark exclusion zones.
• Establish and enforce a buffer zone policy during pre-task planning.

✅ Protect the edge. Preserve the trench.

Ask the Crew:

• Are we keeping equipment and spoil a safe distance from the edge?
• Do we have clearly marked buffer zones around all trenches?

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