The current Standard Specification for Trench and Culvert Excavation includes payment for worker safety and protection. As the primary purpose for that item is to pay for excavation on a volume basis, the addition of payment for worker protection and safety results in a blended item that causes problems when quantities change on active construction projects. To correct this, payment for worker safety and protection will be removed from that item. The applicable parts of Section 107 already address worker protection and safety. In addition, any protection or support systems which need to be installed in order to provide worker protection and safety will be paid for under a new item in this Section, called Shields and Shoring (S&S), which will replace Excavation and Protection System (EPS).
A recent interpretation of the requirements of Buy America by the FHWA requires that any steel designed or required by the Department to be left in place permanently must conform to Buy America requirements. The previous practice of allowing the use of used sheeting and leaving it in place after use, is no longer allowable. As such, the item for Interim Steel Sheeting has been modified to reflect the requirements for the use of new and unused steel, made in America, for any steel left in place.
