The Ontario Building Code | Protection and Maintenance at Excavations
4.2.5.7. Protection and Maintenance at Excavations
(1) All sides of an excavation, supported and unsupported, shall be continuously maintained and protected from possible deterioration by construction activity or by the action of frost, rain and wind.
In Plain Language
All sides of an excavation, whether supported or unsupported, must be adequately protected and maintained throughout construction to keep the excavation safe and stable.
This is a plain-language summary of the 2012/2017 Ontario Building Code text above, for general understanding only and not a substitute for the Code. Always confirm current requirements against the 2024 edition (O.Reg. 163/24) or a qualified professional before construction.