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Excavation and trench inspection checklist

Trench conditions change every day and after every rain, which is why this list is written to be run again rather than run once. It records the conditions that existed at the moment people were in the excavation.

Items
12
Photos required
23
Built for
General contractors

Who runs it

A competent person designated for excavation, before entry and after any condition change.

When in the schedule

Daily before the first entry, after rainfall or freeze-thaw, and after any change to loading or depth.

The checklist

Every item, and the photo that proves it

The photo count on each row is what RTI would require before the item can be submitted. Copy the list as-is, or load it into RTI and let the gate enforce it.

01

Before breaking ground

  • Utility locates requested, marked and photographed

    Marks visible on the ground and the ticket still valid for today's date.

    2 photos

  • Existing structures and surcharge loads identified

    Adjacent foundations, poles and traffic loads assessed before the cut.

    2 photos

  • Soil classified and the protective system selected

    Classification recorded by the competent person, not assumed from last week.

    1 photo
02

Protective systems

  • Sloping, benching or shoring matches the classification and depth

    Photograph the system in place with the depth measured.

    3 photos

  • Trench box or shield installed and used correctly

    Extends above the excavation as required; no working outside the protected zone.

    2 photos

  • Spoil and equipment set back from the edge

    Clear setback maintained on all sides, including where material was moved today.

    2 photos
03

Access and conditions

  • Ladders or ramps within the required travel distance

    Ladder extends above the surface and is secured; count the distance to the far crew.

    2 photos

  • No accumulated water, or water controlled and monitored

    Pumping in place; a competent person watching while anyone is inside.

    2 photos

  • Atmosphere tested where conditions require it

    Readings recorded before entry, not just the meter photographed.

    1 photo
04

Daily re-inspection

  • Excavation re-inspected before each shift and after rain

    A new dated record each time — yesterday's walk does not cover today.

    2 photos

  • Edges, barricades and traffic protection intact

    Barricades still in position, no undermined edges from overnight water.

    2 photos

  • Backfill compacted in lifts and tested where specified

    Lift thickness and test locations recorded before the next lift covers them.

    2 photos

What usually sends this back

The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work

  • Locates called but never photographed, so the marks are gone by the time the digging starts.
  • Ladder more than the allowable travel distance from where crews are actually working.
  • Spoil piled at the edge, then re-inspected only after a sidewall sloughs.

Run it with the Photo Gate

A checklist nobody can submit half-finished

Load this list into RTI, stick a QR tag on the area it covers, and the submit button stays locked until every mandatory item is answered and the 23 required photos exist. Approved walks roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper-evident record behind every line.

Start freeTry the gate first

Submission state

Mandatory items answered12 of 12
Photos attached20 of 23
Submit locked — 3 photos missing

The gate is enforced on the server, so it holds even if the phone is offline when the walk happens.

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See all 69 checklists — 614 items and 1031 photo requirements in total.