Safety First: How We Ensure OSHA Compliance on Every Excavation Project

Our Step-by-Step Approach to OSHA-Compliant Excavation & Shoring

We believe that safety isn’t a one-size-fits-all checklist. Every site, every soil, and every client is different. Here’s how we make OSHA compliance a living, breathing part of every project:

Pre-Project Safety Planning

Before we ever break ground, we develop a site-specific safety plan. That means:
- Conducting thorough risk assessments
- Locating and marking all utilities (yes, we always call 811!)
- Reviewing all local permitting and Denver/Boulder building codes
- Sitting down with you to walk through our process, answer your questions, and ensure transparency

Transparency is key: We want you to know exactly how we’re keeping your project, and your neighbors, safe.

Competent Person Oversight

OSHA requires every excavation site to have a “competent person”, someone with the training and authority to spot hazards and take immediate action. At Van Matre, our competent persons:
- Are rigorously trained and certified
- Are present on-site, every day
- Have full authority to pause work if they see a risk

As our lead superintendent says,

“If it’s not safe, we don’t do it. Period.”

We go beyond the basics, making sure our team leads with both expertise and integrity.

Protective Systems, Sloping, Shoring, and Shielding

No two soils are alike, and neither are our solutions. Depending on site conditions, we use:
- Sloping/Benching: Cutting back trench walls at a safe angle
- Shoring: Installing hydraulic or timber supports to prevent soil movement
- Shielding (Trench Boxes): Placing protective barriers to safeguard workers

We only use top-quality, well-maintained equipment, and we always follow the manufacturer’s tabulated data and OSHA shoring requirements to the letter.

What sets us apart? Our team is trained to select the right system for every job, not just the easiest or cheapest.

Daily Inspections and Real-Time Hazard Monitoring

Safety isn’t a “set it and forget it” process. Our competent person:
- Inspects every excavation before work starts, at the start of each shift, and after any event (like a rainstorm) that could affect safety
- Documents all findings and corrective actions
- Communicates with you about any changes or concerns, so you’re never left in the dark

Safe Access, Egress, and Site Controls

We ensure:
- Ladders, ramps, or stairs are always within 25 feet of workers in trenches 4 feet or deeper
- Spoil piles and materials are kept at least 2 feet from trench edges
- Heavy equipment is positioned safely away from excavations
- Fencing and signage protect the public and adjacent properties

We don’t just protect our crew, we protect your property and your community.

Managing Environmental and Atmospheric Hazards

Colorado’s weather can turn on a dime. We:
- Test for hazardous atmospheres in trenches deeper than 4 feet
- Pump out water accumulation promptly
- Adapt our approach for winter conditions, freeze-thaw cycles, and variable soils

Here’s a real-world example: On a recent Boulder project, unexpected groundwater was discovered. Our team immediately halted work, tested the air, installed additional shoring, and kept the client updated every step of the way.

Worker Training & Culture of Safety

We hold regular safety meetings, require OSHA 10/30 training for all crew, and foster a “zero incident” culture.

As our owner says,

“We don’t just talk about safety, we live it. Every person on our team knows that their voice matters, and we encourage everyone to speak up if they see a risk.”