TOOLBOX
TALK
Trench Safety
Cave-ins are a serious risk and are much more
likely to kill workers than other excavation-related
incidents. Other trench hazards include falls, falling
loads, dangerous gases and incidents involving
mobile equipment. Workers should think of an
unprotected trench as an early grave. About
1,000 injuries occur each year. Of these, about
140 result in permanent disability and 75 in death.
1. Why did this accident happen?
2. How could this fatal injury have been prevented?
3. Have you ever had an injury from a trench cave-in,
or do you know anyone who has had such an injury?
If so, what happened?
Trench Safety
s ! COMPETENT PERSON MUST INSPECT THE TRENCH FOR UNSAFE
conditions before worker go in.
Here is an Example
Three laborers were working in an eight foot high, vertical
wall trench when one side caved in, burying one worker
and partially burying another. The third man managed to
escape the trench unharmed. The partially buried man was
able to escape with assistance, but the buried worker
suffocated to death.
s 4RENCH PROTECTION MUST BE PROVIDED /3(!
ALLOWS SLOPING AND BENCHING SHORING AND SHIELDS
LIKE TRENCH BOXES
s .OBODY WORKS IN A TRENCH WITHOUT A LOOKOUT
STANDING BY
s 2OCKS AND DIRT MUST BE KEPT AT LEAST FEET AWAY
FROM THE TOP OF THE TRENCH
What Are We Going to Do Today?
What will we do here at the worksite today to promote trench safety?
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OSHA REGULATION: 1926.651(k)(1)
#072 n 4HE #ENTER FOR #ONSTRUCTION 2ESEARCH AND 4RAINING !LL RIGHTS RESERVED #072 IS THE RESEARCH TRAINING AND SERVICE ARM OF
THE "UILDING AND #ONSTRUCTION 4RADES $EPT !&,
#)/ AND WORKS TO REDUCE OR ELIMINATE SAFETY AND HEALTH HAZARDS CONSTRUCTION WORKERS FACE
ON THE JOB 0RODUCTION OF THIS CARD WAS SUPPORTED BY 'RANT /( FROM THE .ATIONAL )NSTITUTE FOR /CCUPATIONAL 3AFETY AND (EALTH .)/3(
4HE CONTENTS ARE SOLELY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE AUTHORS AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE OFlCIAL VIEWS OF .)/3(
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