How to Protect Construction Workers from Trench Collapse - 2022-12-15
More workers died in trench collapses in the first half of 2022 than in all of 2021. These safety guidelines can
prevent cave-in deaths and injuries.
By — Don McLoud
The first half of 2022 was off to a deadly start with 22 fatalities in trenches reported by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, surpassing all of the trench deaths in 2021.
When 1 cubic yard of dirt can weigh as much as 3,000 pounds, or as much as a small pickup truck, and 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.
Here’s a guide to preventing that from happening on your job sites:
