A contractor wishes to use vertical shores in type C soil. Will OSHA permit this if they have a manufacturer's chart allowing it?

Using vertical shores in Type C soil can be permitted by OSHA if there is a manufacturer's chart that allows it. Type C soil is typically considered the least stable and can present significant challenges for excavation safety. However, under OSHA regulations, if a contractor has a manufacturer's chart that provides specific information about the maximum allowable loads and other design criteria, it can validate the use of vertical shores.

This chart must be based on engineering principles and must consider the soil conditions, excavation depth, and appropriate safety factors to ensure the stability of the shoring system. Manufacturers often provide these charts as part of their safety and engineering guidelines to facilitate safe practices in various soil conditions.

Hence, as long as the contractor adheres to the guidelines provided by the manufacturer's chart and maintains compliance with other relevant OSHA regulations and safety practices, the use of vertical shores in Type C soil is permitted. This allows for a flexible approach to excavation safety, provided it is based on sound engineering and safety principles.