As a result of a rise in preventable trench-related fatalities, such as the tragic incident in Alabama described in this issue, OSHA has made trench safety an agency priority. Outreach efforts include Alliances with industry groups and other activities:
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- OSHA is joining the National Utility Contractor Association in a Trench Safety Stand-Down June 18-23. The week-long event will focus on trench and excavation hazards and reinforce the importance of using trench protective systems to keep workers safe.
- OSHA also recently partnered with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, Allied Construction Industries, and Turner Construction to host a trench safety workshop in Cincinnati. The workshop followed a recent fatal trench injury in Ohio, and aimed to help prevent future fatalities, particularly in smaller residential construction operations.
For more on protecting workers in trenches, see OSHA’s Trenching and Excavation webpage.
