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OSHA Alert: Trench collapses can be deadly

National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (CCO), and the NCCCO Foundation (NCCCO)

Through the Alliance, the organizations will provide CCO certificants and the public with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect workers by reducing and preventing exposure to Focus Four hazards and addressing crane safety issues (e.g., safety in lift zones), and understand the rights of workers and the responsibilities of employers under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act).

The goals of the Alliance include:

Partners for Safe Trenching and Excavation Operations

Signatory Organizations:
  • North American Excavation Shoring Association (NAXSA)
  • Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM)
  • National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA)
  • Common Ground Alliance (CGA)
  • Associated General Contractors (AGC)
  • International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE)
  • Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA)

Through the Alliance, the organizations will provide their members/associations and the public with information, guidance, and access to training resources that w

Trenching and Excavation - Construction

Standards

The references on this page provide information related to trenching and excavation in construction including OSHA's trenching and excavation construction regulations, hazard recognition, possible solutions and general resources.

Standards

Trenching and excavation hazards are addressed in specific standards for the construction industry. This section highlights OSHA standards and documents related to trenching and excavation.

OSHA Standards

Trenching and Excavation - Overview

Trenching and Excavation - Overview

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Investigation of the August 22, 2006 Fatal Excavation Collapse at Red Hook, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

The project, 40,000 square foot retail and office complex with two levels of parking, was in the first phase of construction, i.e., excavation and site stabilization, when the incident occurred. A steep excavated slope, more than 40 foot high suddenly collapsed. The collapsed earth deposits buried a nearby excavator and killed the operator inside the cab.
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For problems with accessibility in using figures and illustrations, please contact the DOC at 202-693-2020.

Investigation of November 19, 1990 Excavation Collapse at 14th and H Streets, N.W. Washington, D.C.

The structural steel support system of an open excavation, 150 ft. x 208 ft. by 47 ft. deep collapsed causing a cave-in of several thousand cubic yards of soil. The excavation was done for the construction of a 12-story office building with four levels of underground parking. The collapse caused the internal support system to slide and fall into the open excavation. At the time of the incident, construction had stopped for the day and therefore did not cause any death or injury, though it had significant potential for casualties.
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