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Trenches laws and regulations

Laws and safety regulations related to trenches.

Inquiries

Inquiries relative to a municipality's local permitting authority should be directed to the specific municipality. For additional information about the Trench Safety Regulations please visit the links below.

The regulations provide that local permitting authorities, the Office of Public Safety & Inspections (OPSI), or the Department of Labor Standards (DLS) may order an immediate shutdown of a trench in the event of a death or serious injury; the failure to obtain a permit; or the failure to implement or effectively use adequate protections for the general public. The trench shall remain shut down until re-inspected and authorized to reopen provided, however, that excavators shall have the right to appeal an immediate shutdown. Permitting authorities are further authorized to suspend or revoke a permit following a hearing. Excavators may also be subject to administrative fines issued by the OPSI for identified violations.

Contact

Online

If looking for a status update on a license renewal, please put your full OPSI license number, including prefix, in the subject line. Email Office of Public Safety and Inspections, Division of Occupational Licensure at OPSI-info@mass.gov

Phone

Main Phone Number Call Office of Public Safety and Inspections, Division of Occupational Licensure, Main Phone Number at (617) 727-3200

Open Mon. - Fri., 8:45 am - 5:00 pm

MassRelay (TTY & ASCII) Call Office of Public Safety and Inspections, Division of Occupational Licensure, MassRelay (TTY & ASCII) at 711

Address

Main Office
One Federal Street, Suite 600, Boston, MA 02110-2012
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