OSHA RESPONDS TO ALARMING NUMBER OF TRENCHING DEATHS

Construction Industry Supports Agency’s Enhanced Enforcement Efforts to Protect Workers

By Lucy Perry

CEG CORRESPONDENT

After charting an alarming 22 trenching deaths the first half of this year, OSHA has made trench safety a national emphasis on inspections. In July, the agency announced it was launching enhanced enforcement initiatives with a goal of protecting workers from known hazards. Industry professional associations support the move.

OSHA called on all employers engaged in trenching and excavation activities to act immediately “to ensure that required protections are fully in place every single time their employees step down into or work near a trench.”

Doug Parker, assistant secretary for occupational safety and health, said in a matter of seconds workers can be buried under thousands of pounds of soil and rocks in an unsafe trench.

He wants to see the increase in the number of workers needlessly dying and suffering serious injuries in trenching incidents stopped.

“Every one of these tragedies could have been prevented had employers complied with OSHA standards,” said Parker. “There simply is no excuse for ignoring safety requirements to prevent trench collapses and cave-ins.”

The agency reported that 22 deaths in the first half of 2022 surpasses the total of 15 in 2021.

In June, two workers aged 20 and 39 died in Jarrell, Texas, when the unprotected trench more than 20 ft. deep collapsed upon them as they worked.

OSHA noted that trench shields sat unused beside the excavation. This incident prompted the agency to announce the enhancements.

To stress the dangers of disregarding federal workplace safety requirements, OSHA enforcement staff will consider every available tool at the agency’s disposal, said the agency.

“These actions will place additional emphasis on how agency officials evaluate penalties, including criminal referrals for federal or state prosecution to hold employers and others accountable.”

OSHA compliance officers will perform trench inspections nationwide and may stop by and inspect any excavation site during their daily duties. Industry Gives Its Blessing

The National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) marked this year’s Trench Safety Stand Down by reinforcing the idea that safety training is key to an employee’s daily activity.

The association believes safety training also is critical to a well-functioning utility construction job site.

“Time and time again, evidence shows that the key to significantly reducing the risks associated with our industry is employee training and reinforcement,” said Mike Flowers, NUCA’s director for safety, training and education.

This year, according to the association, 23,000 workers employed by 345 companies on 1,978 job sites participated in a stand down training event the week of June 20 to 24.

The goal of the event is to provide those who work in and around trenches and excavations with information about current excavation requirements and safety procedures.

OSHA and the North American Excavation Shoring Association (NAXSA) joined forces to host the Colorado Trench Safety Summit in early October.

The free event included classroom training, roundtable discussions and live demonstrations.

A similar event took place in Southlake, Texas, with the North Texas NUCA chapter in September.

Early this year, ANSI announced approval of the updated A10.12 excavation safety standard, Safety Requirements for Excavation.

The standard details how to design an excavation plan, including responsibilities, training and duties, assessing underground utilities, water accumulation and stability of adjacent structures and protecting workers from falls, caveins and confined spaces.

It applies to all open excavations, including trenches, made in the earth’s surface that require worker and/or property protection.

In June, approximately 23,000 workers employed by 345 companies on 1,978 job sites participated in a stand down training event.