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At the bottom of a fifteen foot trench, a worker asked for permission to walk away from the “trench box”- protective steel barriers that hold up the trench’s walls- to check the stormwater pipe. Although the trench box would have helped to protect the worker while in the trench, his supervisor told him yes, but to “hurry.” Unfortunately, the worker didn’t hurry fast enough. He was placed in the way of trench dangers, exposing himself to many hazards associated with trenches. The unprotected walls of the trench ended up burying the man, shattering two ribs, breaking his pelvis, and dislocating his right hip and left shoulder.
Although this man was still alive, many workers do not survive when placed in the way of trench dangers. This situation is one that is very familiar to OSHA officials, as companies seem to routinely neglect trench dangers, and in many instances fail to correct these problems. Over the past eight years, about 70% of workplace inspections in Pittsburgh have included at least one trench-related violation issued to all water and sewer line construction sites. In total, those companies paid at least $706,000 in penalties for 311 violations issued from January 2008 to April 2016, according to OSHA.
Unfortunately, trench dangers remain a large problem. Three trench collapses occurred in the Pittsburgh area alone in 2015, including one that killed a 21-year old worker. Trenches are a key danger in many construction sites, as one cubic yard of soil can weigh as much as 3,000 pounds. Unless dug in stable rock, excavations more than five feet deep are required to have a system in place to brace the walls. This is just one requirement that would prevent or lessen trench dangers. It is so important to be trained in trench safety, as well as any other area of work that you may be required to perform. Being well trained can prevent death and injury. Safety should be your number one priority.
Trench safety training, as well as training in many other areas, can be found at these links:
Training Kits, including Trench Training
Online (e-learning) Training Courses, including Trench Safety online training, and