What must be examined by a competent person before determining excavation safety?

Determining excavation safety involves a thorough assessment of the depth and configuration of the excavation. This aspect is critical because the depth influences the potential for cave-ins, which are a leading cause of excavation-related accidents. Moreover, the configuration pertains to how the walls are shaped and the overall layout, which can affect the stability of the excavation site.

Understanding and analyzing the depth helps in identifying whether protective systems such as shoring, shielding, or sloping are necessary to prevent collapses. Furthermore, the configuration can reveal how soil behaves under various conditions and can indicate if additional precautions are needed, such as ensuring that the excavation is far enough away from adjacent structures to prevent undermining.

While factors like soil history, soil color, and proximity to structures are relevant considerations in a broader context of excavation safety, they do not specifically assess the immediate risks associated with the created void and its characteristics, which directly influence the likelihood of a cave-in. Thus, evaluating the depth and configuration is fundamental to ensuring a safe excavation site.