Abstract: A construction laborer working on an underground power line project was in a trench. The trench was less than 1.2 meters deep. A concrete curb was located about 450 millimeters from the trench. The supervisor on the job recognized the potential for cave-in and had the curb braced with two by fours. One end of a stud was braced behind the back of the curb and the other end was braced to an existing concrete structure in the trench (probably the concrete cap poured over the existing gas utility). The backhoe operator saw the employee in the trench and turned his head to dump his bucket of soil. When the backhoe operator looked back, the curb was on top of the laborer's legs. He sustained bilateral leg fractures. By the time emergency medical services arrived, the curbing had been lifted from the injured employee's legs by the backhoe and chain. The laborer was hospitalized for 3 days for his injuries.