Questionnaire - Trench Box and Trenching Operations

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Approximately how many workers does your firm normally employ?
How are the company revenues distributed?

% sewer

% water

% gas

% telephone

% electric

% telecommunications

% Others:
Approximately how many linear feet of sewer pipe did your firm install this past year? feet
Approximately how many different projects are undertaken by the firm each year?
What is the approximate total number of feet of trench dug each year? feet
- What percent of the trenches are deeper than 5 feet? %
- What types of worker protection are provided in trenches that are at least 5 feet deep?
  % Sloped
  % Trench Box
  % Shoring
How many trench boxes does the firm own?
How many of these trench boxes were purchased (not made in your shop)? %
Are trench boxes stacked on top of each other in some trenching operations? Yes No
If yes, on how many projects were trench boxes stacked this past year?
In the use of trench boxes, how often have the following practices been reported or observed on your projects in the past year? (indicate the number reported or observed)
workers venturing out of trench box into the unprotected portion of the trench
using a trench box without a bulkhead
using trench boxes without ladders
setting trench boxes too deep where materials could fall in from the top
setting trench boxes more than 2 feet above the trench bottom
workers not staying clear of materials being lowered in the trench box
operators getting dangerously close to overhead power lines
How many trench box related injuries has the firm had in the past five years?
When exiting the trench box, how often are the following methods used?
% workers exit the back of the trench box and walk up the bankfill
% workers use a ladder that is inside the trench box to exit
% other (please describe):
Who is the competent person in your company executing trenching operations?

% Foreman

% Safety Officer

% Superintendent

% Crew worker

% Other (If other, please explain)
What types of worker protection are provided in trenches when utility lines are present in the trench?

% Sloping

% Benching

% Shoring

% Trench Box

% Other (If other, please explain)

Which of the following practices are implemented in your company to improve safety?

Incentives programs	Yes No
Daily safety meetings	Yes No
Pre construction meetings	Yes No
Specific training (trenching)	Yes No
If yes, please specify the number of training sessions every year: 1 2 3 4 5 6 More Than 6

What are the main causes of trenching related accidents? Please rank in order of frequency (0= least frequent, 10 = most frequent)

Lack of workers' training	Lack of planning
Inadequate equipment	Lack of supervision
Workers inexperience	Weather conditions
Unforeseen soil conditions	Undefined construction specifications
Spoil/equipment near the trench	Incomprehensive regulations

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