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CONN-OSHA Quarterly
Volume No. 49
Spring 2007
Trenching and Excavation-Play It Safe
By Roger Rocheleau - Public Sector Consultant
How many times have you been driving along and noticed a
trench shield lying on its side somewhere near an open trench or excavation?
More often than not, employees are working in the trench or excavation under
questionable or hazardous conditions while the trench shield is available but
unused.
Trenching and excavation work presents a myriad of extremely
dangerous hazards to employees. Due to cost and time availability, especially on
short-term operations, the attitude, “the job will be over before anyone knows
so why bother,” is adopted and compliance with OSHA standards is often
overlooked. And so it goes, trenches are routinely entered without basic trench
protection, often without incident. The fact is that all too often there are
cave-ins and collapses and someone is seriously injured or killed.
The above table reflects the reported number of recorded
trenching and excavation injuries and fatalities in the US from 2003 to 2005.
It is apparent that when an accident occurs in a trenching or
excavation operation the chances of a fatality being involved are significant.
Also, the impact of the fatality has a ripple effect that is often far reaching.
Consider the victim’s parents, spouse, children, other relatives, friends and
co-workers.
In 1985, The US Department of Labor/OSHA issued a directive
entitled “Special Emphasis Program: Trenching and Excavation.” This National
Emphasis Program (NEP) was established in order to focus greater emphasis on
trenching and excavation operations. The OSHA application was extended
nationwide and the reason for this program was “Because of the continuing
incidence of trench/excavation collapses and accompanying loss of life, the
agency has determined that an increased OSHA enforcement presence at worksites
where such operations are being conducted is warranted.”
The Directive further stated that “Although it would be
expected that, after more than 12 years of enforcement activity (1970 through
1985), most employers would be adhering to shoring and sloping requirements,
experience has shown that is not the case. OSHA believes that the rate of deaths
and serious injuries resulting from trench/excavation accidents (mostly
cave-ins) can be significantly affected only by a concentration of compliance
resources within the areas of trenching and excavation operations.”
That was the birth of the trenching and excavation Special
Emphasis Program which is still very much alive and active today.
The directive mandates that all OSHA Compliance Safety and
Health Officers (CSHOs) be on the lookout for trenching and excavation
worksites. Regardless of whether or not a violation is observed, a CSHO
observing a trenching and excavation operation must:
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Make note of the condition of the operation, including any
serious hazards.
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Note the name and address or location of the worksite and
contractor performing the operation.
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Contact an OSHA supervisor for a decision as to whether to
conduct an inspection.
If the CSHO observing the operation involving trenching or
excavation sees an apparent serious hazard in plain view, and if it is not
convenient to contact a supervisor at the time, an inspection shall be conducted
and the supervisor notified as soon as practical after the inspection has been
completed.
Consider the following OSHA Regional News Release: U.S. Labor
Department's OSHA Fines Two Hollis, N.H., Contractors $81,800 for Cave-In
Hazards at Nashua Worksite.
Two Hollis, N.H., contractors face a combined total of
$81,800 in fines from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA) for alleged cave-in hazards at a Nashua
construction site.
The citations and fines result from OSHA inspections opened
Aug. 23, 2006, when two OSHA inspectors passing by the worksite observed
employees working in an apparently unprotected trench. OSHA's inspection
revealed that employees of Jennings Excavation, which was installing a water
line, were working in two unprotected excavations, a 6.5 to 7.4-foot-deep catch
basin and an 8.9 to Published by the Connecticut Department of Labor, Project Management Office-foot-deep building foundation.
Jennings was issued two willful citations, with $55,000 in
proposed fines, for allowing employees to work in both unprotected excavations
and for not providing a ladder or other safe means of exit from the catch basin.
The contractor was also issued three serious citations, with an additional
$3,500 in proposed fines, for not supporting an undermined sidewalk, failing to
remove or support a power pole and no warning vests for employees exposed to
vehicular traffic.
Ferd Construction, the controlling employer responsible for
overall job safety on the project, was issued one willful citation, with a
$21,000 proposed fine, for allowing unprotected trenches, and three serious
citations, with another $2,300 in fines proposed, for lack of safe exit means
from the catch basin and the unsupported sidewalk and power pole.
"An unguarded excavation can crush or kill employees within
seconds," said Rosemarie Ohar, OSHA's New Hampshire area director. "There's no
excuse for failing to use this clear, common sense and legally required
safeguard."
OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with an
intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the
Occupational Safety and Health Act and regulations. OSHA issues a serious
citation when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from a hazard
about which the employer knew or should have known.
In an article by US DOL in North Aurora, Illinois the most
frequently found hazard in trenching and excavation work was lack of cave-in
protection (29 CFR 1926.652 (a)(1)).
This ranked second in the top ten list of all construction
violations cited for the year. It was the most penalized standard ($350,000) and
16% of them were cited as “Repeat”, meaning the company had been cited for the
same violation within the previous three years.
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Interviews of employers cited offered these reasons for
noncompliance:
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The soil was good.
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The job was only going to take a minute.
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That wasn’t our employee.
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We have been doing this job for twenty years and would not
expose ourselves to hazards. (The employee was in a ten foot deep trench
without cave-in protection.)
And the number one reason:
The moral of this article is, excuses will not pay the fines,
heal injuries or bring back the dead. Compliance with the OSHA Trenching and
Excavation standards is the best insurance for a safe operation.
The US DOL has published an excavations booklet. Many of the
questions and answers concerning trenching and excavation may be found in this
publication. It can be downloaded from
http://www.osha.gov/pls/publications/pubindex.list. The general OSHA website
is http://www.osha.gov. Finally, the CONN-OSHA office website is
http:/www.ctdol.state.ct.us/osha/osha.htm. The CONN-OSHA telephone number,
where you can obtain information and answers to your safety and health questions
and request consultation services, is (860) 263-6900.
Resources:
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US DOL OSHA Directive – CPL 02-00-069, Special Emphasis
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Program: Trenching and Excavation
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CONN-OSHA Bureau of Labor Statistics
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US DOL OSHA News Releases
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US DOL Fact Sheet “Trenching and Excavation Safety”
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US DOL OSHA Excavations – OSHA 2226
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USDOL OSHA Safety and Health Release 07-251-BOS/BOS 2007-050.
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CONN-OSHA Receives Recognition Award
Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., Assistant Secretary of Labor, presented
the Connecticut Department of Labor Division of Occupational Safety and Health
with the On-Site Consultation Achievement Recognition (OSCAR) award for
outstanding performance during fiscal year 2006. Director Richard Palo accepted
the award on behalf of the CONN-OSHA Consultation Project at the Annual
Consultation Conference held in Newport, R.I., April 2007. The project was
recognized for conducting 451 safety and health consultations at private sector
workplaces, performing at Published by the Connecticut Department of Labor, Project Management Office3 percent of its projected goal. In addition to
maintaining a high level of performance in terms of planned activities,
CONN-OSHA staff members also participated in a full scale disaster exercise
involving the deployment of assets from the Center for Disease Control and
Prevention’s Strategic National Stockpile (SNS).
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National Work Zone Safety Awareness
The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that, each
year, traffic accidents in work zones injure nearly 60,000 people. A growing
problem, fatalities in work zones have increased 40 percent since 1997, to a
total of 1,074 fatalities in 2005.
The National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) was designed to
raise awareness of the deadly hazards to drivers and workers while in areas of
road construction or maintenance. Beginning April 2, 2007, NWZAW was scheduled
to coincide with the traditional start of road maintenance projects.
Since 2000, Connecticut has partnered with other states to
participate in NWZAW. Governor M. Jodi Rell proclaimed that week as “Work Zone
Safety Awareness Week” with a campaign theme of “Don’t Zone Out - Pay Attention
or Pay Double”. Fines are doubled for any traffic violations cited in work
zones.
Connecticut statistics show that most work zone crashes are
rear end collisions and many of these accidents resulted in fatalities to the
vehicle occupants. Approximately half of all fatal work zone crashes occurred
during the day. Motorists are encouraged to focus on driving and slow
down when approaching work zones. Unexpected events are common on construction
jobs, and slowing down allows yourself time to recognize hazards and react
appropriately.
The good news is that the total number of reported accidents
in Connecticut work zones has decreased approximately 27% between 2004 and 2005.
This reduction trend is expected to continue with perseverance and hard work to
improve work zone design and ongoing driver education of both workers and
motorists.
Published by the Connecticut Department of Labor, Project Management Office Tips for Driving Safely in Work Zones
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EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED! Normal speed limits may be reduced,
traffic lanes may be changed, and people may be working on or near the road.
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SLOW DOWN! Speeding is one of the major causes of work zone
crashes.
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DON'T TAILGATE! KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE BETWEEN YOU AND THE
CAR AHEAD OF YOU. The most common crash in a highway work zone is the rear end
collision, so leave two car lengths between you and the car in front of you.
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KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE BETWEEN YOUR VEHICLE AND THE
CONSTRUCTION WORKERS AND THEIR EQUIPMENT.
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PAY ATTENTION TO THE SIGNS! The warning signs are there to
help you and other drivers move safely through the work zone. Observe the
posted signs until you see the one that says you've left the work zone.
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OBEY ROAD CREW FLAGGERS! The flagger knows what is best for
moving traffic safely in the work zone. A flagger has the same authority as a
regulatory sign, so you can be cited for disobeying his or her directions.
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STAY ALERT AND MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS! Dedicate your full
attention to the roadway and avoid changing radio stations or using cell
phones while driving in a work zone.
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KEEP UP WITH THE TRAFFIC FLOW. Motorists can help maintain
traffic flow and posted speeds by merging as soon as possible. Don't drive
right up to the lane closure and then try to barge in.
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SCHEDULE ENOUGH TIME TO DRIVE SAFELY AND CHECK RADIO, TV
AND WEBSITES FOR TRAFFIC INFORMATION. Expect delays and leave early so you can
reach your destination on time. Check
www.ct.gov/dot - for
information on traveling in Connecticut
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BE PATIENT AND STAY CALM. Work zones aren't there to
personally inconvenience you. Remember, the work zone crew members are working
to improve the road and make your future drive better.
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Hazard Corner …
Two laborers were working in a trench (measuring 11 feet
deep,75 feet in length and 2 feet wide ) to install rebar for a retaining wall.
While drilling holes in the bedrock with a hammer drill, the unprotected walls
collapsed without warning. One laborer was able to get out of the trench safely.
The other laborer was unable to escape and died from traumatic asphyxiation; he
was 37 years old and had worked for the contractor for only three months.
A 26 year old construction worker was using a laser transit
to determine the proper depth for a drain pipe when the trench collapsed. The
unprotected trench was 15 feet deep, 30 feet in length, and 5 feet wide. The
excavation machinery in use near the edge of the trench may have triggered the
collapse. This worker also died from traumatic asphyxiation; he had been working
for the contractor for two years.
Many accidents with non-fatal injuries can be investigated
and safety measures implemented before a serious accident occurs. However, the
majority of trench collapses result in fatalities due to their speed and
suddenness. One cubic foot of soil weighs approximately Published by the Connecticut Department of Labor, Project Management Office0 pounds, preventing a
person from digging himself or herself free. Even if his or her head is not
buried, the person is likely to die due to the pressure of the soil.
Having a competent person on site, removing hazards adjacent
to the trench (spoil piles, operating equipment), providing adequate egress,
removing water accumulations and hazardous atmospheres, and using protective
systems are some of the requirements of the OSHA Excavation Standards, 29 CFR
1926.650-652. CONN-OSHA can assist in providing education and training on the
requirements of this standard. Call us at (860) 263-6900.
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CONN-OSHA
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Training Update...
Breakfast Roundtable.
This discussion group meets the third Tuesday of every month and the
meetings are held from 8:15 am to 9:45 am. Pre-registration is required. To be
placed on the e-mail distribution list, call John Able at (860) 263-6902 or
email able.john@dol.gov
Powered Industrial Trucks May 18 Powered Industrial
Truck Standard OSHA’s 29 CFR 19Published by the Connecticut Department of Labor, Project Management Office.178. This 3-hour workshop introduces
participants to OSHA’s Powered Industrial Truck standard and includes an
in-depth review of operator training.
Trenching & Excavation Safety June 12 This workshop
will provide an overview of 29 CFR 1926.650-652 Excavations, including the role
of the competent person. The session is designed to assist participants in
identifying hazards at their workplace, especially those associated with
excavations and related activities.
Confined Space Safety July Published by the Connecticut Department of Labor, Project Management Office This class introduces
you to the basic requirements and procedures involved with permit-required
confined spaces as detailed in 29 CFR 19Published by the Connecticut Department of Labor, Project Management Office.146. This information is vitally
important to all those who work in or have responsibility for those that work in
permit-required confined spaces.
Chemical Hazard Communication September 13 Employees
will be better able to take steps to protect themselves when they know what the
hazards are and how to avoid exposure. This session will help attendees develop
an effective Hazard Communication Program.
Classes are free and held at 200 Folly Brook Boulevard,
Wethersfield, CT in Conference Room A from 9 am - 12 noon. To register, contact
John Able at (860) 263-6902 or
able.john@dol.gov.
Pre-registration is required. For more training information, visit
www.ctdol.state.ct.us/osha/osha.htm
Fatality & Casualty Reporting
State & Town: CONN-OSHA (860) 263-6946 (local) or
1-866-241-4060 (toll-free)
Private Employers: Report to Federal OSHA at
1-800-321-OSHA(6742)
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CONN-OSHA Quarterly
Index
Last Updated:
April 17, 2018
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