Even though the means to prevent trench collapses is pretty simple, dozens of construction workers continue to be killed by them every year. A few weeks ago, The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) held a webinar on trenching and excavation hazards, the reduction of which is has been OSHA’s priority goal since 2018.

In the webinar, titled ‘Increasing Awareness of Factors that Influence Trench Safety, speakers discussed how OSHA enforces trench safety, results of an industry survey about trench safety, and alternatives to trenching.

OSHA’s Trench Safety Enforcement

To speak about OSHA’s enforcement efforts, CPWR invited Scott Ketcham, the Director of OSHA’s Directorate of Construction. In OSHA’s 2019 fiscal year, standard 1926.651-.652 Specific Excavation Requirements was the 6th most frequently cited standard in the construction industry, accounting for 1,500 total violations, 1,173 serious violations, 35 willful violations, and 81 repeat violations.

Ketcham also broke down the specific standards that were cited for each of those violations. Standard 1926.652(a)(1) was by far the most frequently cited standard, which covers “protection of employees in excavations. That standard specifically states:

“1926.652(a)(1)
Each employee in an excavation shall be protected from cave-ins by an adequate protective system designed in accordance with paragraph (b) or (c) of this section except when:
1926.652(a)(1)(i)
Excavations are made entirely in stable rock; or
1926.652(a)(1)(ii)
Excavations are less than 5 feet (1.52m) in depth and examination of the ground by a competent person provides no indication of a potential cave-in.”

Other reasons for citations were means of egress, protection of employees from loose rock or soil, daily inspection of excavations, where the competent person finds evidence of a situation that could result in a possible cave-in, and protection from hazards associated with water accumulation.

In addition to the citation data, Ketcham also highlights fatality statistics, OSHA’s outreach training efforts, and additional safety resources. The full, 1-hour long video is embedded at the bottom of this article if you’d like to find out more.

Trench Survey

The 2nd speaker in the webinar was Joe Wise, Regional Customer Training Manager at United Rentals Trench Safety. In his portion, he discussed the results of a survey completed in conjunction with CPWR. An eye opening statistic from this survey showed that less than 25% of the respondents said that they frequently or always see trench protection on their jobsites. In addition, less than 50% of respondents said that there was always a competent person that was trained in trenching on their projects.

There were many other interesting results shared from the survey and this portion begins around the 25 minute mark in the video below.

Alternatives to Trenching

The 3rd and final speaker of the webinar was CAPT Alan Echt of the NIOSH Office of Construction Safety and Health, who discussed alternatives to trenching. In the safety trainings that I perform one of my all-time favorite subjects to talk about is NIOSH’s Hierarchy of Controls. The chart highlights the effectiveness of certain categories of hazard controls are, elimination being the most effective and PPE being the least effective. Since trenching is unable to be eliminated in most instances, Echt instead focuses on the next best option: substitution.

Some of the alternatives to trenching discussed include directional boring, relining using cured-in-place pipe, pipe ramming, and utility tunneling and pipe jacking. Echt’s portion of the webinar begins around the 40 minute mark in the video below.

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Shane Hedmond

Shane is the creator of Construction Junkie and an active construction project manager. In his career, he has managed interior remodel projects, site development, construction safety, governmental project compliance, and facility maintenance. He has a strong passion for construction technology and safety, as well as sharing the knowledge or insights he has gained throughout his career.

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Mar 25, 2019

OSHA Video Explains How to Properly Classify Soil for Trench Safety

Mar 25, 2019

In 2018, OSHA announced that reducing trenching an excavation hazards on construction sites would be their priority goal. Since that time, the agency has releases a variety of different materials to help build outreach to contractors across the country, including updating their National Emphasis Program (NEP) on trench safety. On a recent newsletter, OSHA highlighted a video about soil classification in trenches and excavations, meant as an introduction to those who want to know more about the process.

Mar 25, 2019

Oct 8, 2018

OSHA Updates their National Emphasis Program on Trenching and Excavation Safety

Oct 8, 2018

Last week, we shared some newly updated Trenching and Excavation safety information from OSHA, which was part of their priority goals for 2018. Those updates included a public service announcement and updated online resources. The administration has just announced the update of their National Emphasis Program (NEP) on trenching and excavation safety, which features a period of education and prevention outreach.

Oct 8, 2018

Oct 1, 2018

5 Important Tips for Staying Safe While Working in Trenches

Oct 1, 2018

Earlier this year, it was announced that reducing injuries and deaths caused by trenching and excavation collapses would be a priority goal for OSHA in 2018. The administration planned to achieve this through increased inspection rates, public service announcements (PSA), updating online resources, and creating a better public-private partnership. Recently, OSHA made good on their promise to issue PSAs and update their online resources.

Oct 1, 2018

Mar 12, 2018

OSHA Identifies Trenching and Excavation Hazard Reduction as Priority Goal for 2018

Mar 12, 2018

Trenches and excavations are dug on the majority of construction projects, mostly for foundations, utilities, among other purposes. When construction workers have to enter those trenches and excavations, there are a variety of hazards that exist, the biggest hazards being cave-ins. A cubic yard of soil can weigh over 2,000 pounds, nearly the weight of the average car, so without proper protections for that worker, he or she can be killed or severely injured.

Mar 12, 2018

Oct 26, 2017

CA Construction Project Manager Convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter after Death of Employee

Oct 26, 2017

Project managers and supervisors are responsible for keeping their employees safe and the court system has recently shown that they take that responsibility very seriously. When supervisors act in a negligent manner and people get hurt or killed, they should be held liable.

Oct 26, 2017

Dec 19, 2016

UPDATE: Construction Foreman Sentenced to Jail After Deadly Trench Collapse Killed 22 Year Old

Dec 19, 2016

Trenches are a construction jobsite hazard that happen on nearly every construction site involving dirt work, but, all too often their dangers are underestimated. In fact, trench related deaths in 2016 have more than doubled as compared to 2015. There’s no excuse for allowing a trench related death to happen, but it’s rare that job site supervision suffers criminal charges after one occurs. After the death of a 22 year old New York construction worker, the Manhattan District Attorney’s office took a hard stance against those responsible and announced formally sentenced the on-site foreman last week.

Dec 19, 2016

Nov 18, 2016

OSHA: Trench Collapse Deaths Have More Than Doubled in 2016

Nov 18, 2016

Trench collapse deaths are easily preventable. I’ll say it again: trench collapse deaths are easily preventable. So if they’re preventable, how do they continue to happen every year? Ignorance to safety rules, lack of supervision, pressures of time and money, and sometimes, outright laziness are all factors in trench related deaths and injuries. I’ve been on too many jobsites in my relatively young construction career that have extremely poor procedures for working in trenches and I’ve gotten every excuse in the book. The vast majority don’t even understand the basic requirements. At 4 feet deep, you need to provide a means of egress, at 5 feet deep you need proper protective systems, and keep soil and other materials 2 feet away from the edge of the trench. Those are the basics, everyone should know them.

Nov 18, 2016

Nov 9, 2016

Foreman Convicted After Trench Collapse Kills 22 Year Old Construction Worker

Nov 9, 2016

Every year, an average of 35 construction workers are killed by trench collapses, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. With proper shoring, benching, or sloping, each of these deaths is easily preventable. Generally, any trench that exceeds 5 feet in height needs to be properly protected, as the weight of soil can reach up to 3,000 pounds per cubic yard. For more on OSHA's trench safety guidelines, click here.

Nov 9, 2016

Aug 7, 2015

Construction Company Owner and Project Manager Sentenced for Involuntary Manslaughter after Laborer Dies in Trench Collapse

Aug 7, 2015

Properly shoring trenches require a lot of extra room, time and money on job sites. Because of that, many contractors try to cut corners and skip the shoring, but doing so can have fatal consequences. We recently wrote about trench safety and a neat tool that makes it very easy, which you can find here.

Aug 7, 2015

Apr 17, 2015

How Much Slope Should Your Trench Have?

Apr 17, 2015

Trenches and excavation happen on nearly every new construction site and in many cases, not much is thought about them; it’s just a hole in the ground, right? Not quite. Trenches can be extremely dangerous, especially for those working in them. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an average of 35 workers die from trench and excavation cave-ins EVERY YEAR.

Apr 17, 2015