Excavations with a depth of how many meters or more must be properly shored and braced to prevent cave-ins?

The requirement for shoring and bracing excavations to prevent cave-ins is crucial for ensuring safety in mining and construction environments. Excavations that reach a depth of 1 meter or more are mandated to be properly shored and braced. This depth is significant because soil becomes increasingly unstable as the depth increases, raising the risk of a collapse that can lead to serious injury or fatalities.

By establishing the 1-meter threshold, safety regulations address the fact that many types of soil can fail without warning when disturbed at this depth. Proper shoring and bracing systems provide the necessary support to maintain the integrity of the excavation walls, thereby protecting workers from hazards associated with cave-ins. In addition, this regulation helps ensure that excavation work is conducted responsibly, safeguarding both personnel and equipment.

Understanding the critical nature of this requirement highlights its importance in occupational safety standards in mining and excavation operations.