One cubic yard of dirt can weigh as much as 3,000 pounds, or as much as a small pickup truck, and when it’s caving in on a worker, it often leads to fatal crushing and suffocation.
There is no time for a worker to react to these sudden collapses. The rescues – which often turn into body recovery missions – are difficult, painstaking and can take hours. Meanwhile, family, friends and coworkers face the heartbreaking frustration of helplessly watching and waiting.
As the construction industry heads into the Trench Safety Stand Down from June 20 to 24, 11 workers have died in trench collapses so far this year – a stark reminder of the dangers of cave-ins.
In all, 246 fatalities in trenches have occurred since 2011, according to Equipment World searches of media reports, online OSHA records, and data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics.
Below are details for the Trench Safety Stand Down, as well as tips every worker should know before working in a trench or excavation:
The Trench Safety Stand Down began four years ago with a series of organized events to bring more attention to trench safety for the utility construction industry. The event – started by the National Utility Contractors – is used by industry safety professionals for such things as safety training, educational seminars and live demonstrations of trench rescues. The U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration is also a collaborator, and United Rentals is the corporate sponsor. The week is also part of NUCA’s declared Trench Safety Month, held each June.
The goal of the Stand Down is for employers to talk directly with workers about trench safety by taking a break during the day and holding a toolbox talk or other safety activity.
