Who is typically responsible for shoring in excavation sites?

In excavation work, shoring is critical for ensuring the safety and stability of the site. The responsibility for implementing shoring typically falls to the contractor. This is because the contractor oversees all aspects of the job site, including safety measures and compliance with regulations. They are tasked with ensuring that the excavation is performed safely, and part of that responsibility includes determining the need for shoring and ensuring that it is properly installed to prevent collapses that could endanger workers.

While the backhoe operator may work with the equipment around the shored area, and the site manager might oversee operations, it is ultimately the contractor who bears the legal and practical responsibility for safety at the site, including the proper use of shoring techniques. The safety officer can advise on safety practices and standards, but the contractor is the one who implements those safety measures by incorporating shoring into the overall excavation plan.