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Cave-Ins in Trenching and Excavation Operations Kill Indiana Workers

Posted on September 14, 2011 by Ronald Todd

Example of Construction Site Hazards from Trenching and Excavation

Workers are installing pipe in a trench. The sides of the trench are not shored or protected to prevent cave-ins. The trench is not protected from vibrations caused by heavy vehicle traffic from a nearby road. The only exit provided to the trench is climbing over the backfill. When exiting the trench, a cave-in occurs. The cave-in fatally crushes a worker.

Prevention of Construction Fatalities from Cave-ins

1. Workers must be instructed on how to recognize and avoid hazardous conditions associated with their work (29 CFR 1926.21(b)(2)).
   
2. Works must be instructed on the applicable regulations for their work (29 CFR 1926.219(b)(2)).
   
3. Excavated and other materials must be properly stored and retained at least 2 feet from the edge of the trench (29 CFR 1926.651(i)(1)).
   
4. If a competent person determines that the walls or side of the trenches are unstable or soft material 5 feet or more in depth, the excavation must be shored, sheeted, braced, sloped or protected in some manner to prevent cave-ins and to protect workers (29 CFR 1926.652(b)).
   
5. When trenches are subject to traffic vibrations, additional precautions must be taken to prevent cave-ins (29 CFR 1926.652(e)).
   
6. Ladders must be provided to exit an excavation that is 4 feet or more (29 CFR 1926.652(h)).
   

Additional Help

• Construction Safety and Health Standards (OSHA 2207).
• OSHA Safety and Health Training Guidelines for Construction (National Technical Information Service - Order No. PB-239-312/AS).
• Excavation and Trenching Operations (OSHA 2226).
• Sloping, Shoring and Shielding (NAC - Order No. 009863).

If you or a loved one has been injured in an excavation accident, you need an experienced workplace accident lawyer. Trench accident cases can be won or lost based on investigation conducted by your lawyer. The sooner you hire a qualified lawyer, the sooner we can start protecting your rights. We offer evening and weekend hours in addition to our weekly business hours, we are ready to help. Our phone lines are open twenty-four/seven, so call 317-375-7718 or contact us online at www.ronaldtoddlaw.com today for a free conference.

This entry was posted in Construction Accidents, Construction Accident Indiana, Construction Accident Law Firm, Construction Fatalities, Construction Injury Attorney, Construction Injury Lawyer, Construction Site Accident Lawyer, Construction Site Hazards, Ronald S. Todd, P.C., Workplace Accident Lawyer