They tend to happen more on Mondays. They can occur in an instant. And trench deaths kill about 25 workers a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). About 75 percent of those deaths are due to cave-ins, which are largely preventable through cave-in protection and soil analysis. The remainder are mainly caused by struck-bys or electrocutions – also largely preventable.
The National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) wants to help improve trenching safety with a Trench Safety Stand Down, June 17-21, 2019. Similar to what occurs during OSHA’s National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction, the trench event invites employers to take a break during a workday during that week and have a toolbox talk – or conduct some other safety activity – with their employees. These talks should focus on trench & excavation hazards and reinforce the importance of using protective systems. The NUCA has materials to help employers have those discussions.