Trenching and excavation hazards resulted
in at least 542 construction fatalities between 1992 and 2001, or 54
deaths annually. Soil stability, soil type, changes in weather, and unshored
trench walls all can contribute to trench cave-ins. Hazards associated
with trench work and excavation are recognized and preventable, yet injuries
and fatalities associated with these hazards continue to occur. Regulations
and consensus standards describe engineering controls, protective equipment,
and safe work practices to minimize hazards for workers during trench
work and excavations.
NIOSHTIC-2 Search
NIOSHTIC-2
search results on Trenching and Excavation
NIOSHTIC-2 is
a searchable bibliographic database of occupational safety and health
publications, documents, grant reports, and journal articles supported
in whole or in part by NIOSH.
NIOSH Publications
Preventing Injuries When Working with Hydraulic Excavators and Backhoe Loaders
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2004-107
En
Español
Workers who operate or work near hydraulic excavators and backhoe loaders are at risk of being struck by the machine or its components or by excavator buckets that detach from the excavator stick. NIOSH recommends that injuries and deaths be prevented through training, proper installation and maintenance, work practices, and personal protective equipment.
Trench Safety Awareness Web-based training
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2006-133D
This Web-based training exercise contains material on conducting a safe trenching operation. Topics include the four types of trench collapse, the frequency and cost of trench collapses, trench soil types, and common trench protective systems.
Occupational Fatalities During Trenching and Excavation
Work --- United States, 1992--2001
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report: April 23,
2004 / 53(15);311-314
Summary analysis of occupational fatality records and investigative
reports which indicate 76% of trenching and excavation deaths were
caused by cave-ins and 47% of deaths occurr among employees of companies
with <10
workers.
Preventing Deaths
and Injuries From Excavation Cave-Ins: NIOSH Alert
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 85-110
Presents four case studies of worker deaths in trench cave-ins, as well
as recommended work practices, overview of standards, more...
NIOSH Update:
Trench Cave-ins
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 93-110
Briefly describes worker deaths from trench cave-ins and provides recommendations
for prevention. Summary of NIOSH Alert 85-110.
Development of Draft Construction Safety Standards for Excavations
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 83-103 (Volumes I & II)
NIOSH Safety and Health
Topic: Confined Spaces
NIOSH
Safety and Health Topic: Construction
FACE Reports
The NIOSH Fatality
Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) program is designed to
identify and study fatal occupational injuries. The goal of the FACE
program is to prevent occupational fatalities across the nation by
identifying and investigating work situations at high risk for injury
and then formulating prevention strategies to those who can intervene
in the workplace.
Youth
Laborer Dies in Trench Collapse - Michigan - FACE 2000-03
Construction
Worker Dies After Being Buried In A Trench That Caved In - Minnesota
FACE Investigative Report 96MN073
Construction
Laborer Dies In Trench Cave-In At Oil Tank Removal Site in Massachusetts
- FACE Investigative Report 97MA031
Pipe
Layer Died when a Trench Wall Gave Way - Texas FACE Report No. 98TX14501
Independent
Contractor Dies in Sewer Line Excavation Engulfment --Alaska FACE
Investigative Report 93AK011
Other Resources
OSHA
Safety and Health Topic: Trenching and Excavation
External Link: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/trenchingexcavation/index.html
OSHA
Safety and Health Topic: Construction (Trenching and Excavation)
External Link: External Link:
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/trenchingexcavation/index.html
OSHA
Construction eTool: Trenching and Excavation
External Link: External Link:
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/construction/trenching/mainpage.html
OSHA
Standards for Excavation
Excavations are defined to include trenches.
External Link: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10774
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