The first six months of 2022 have been deadly for workers in trenches, with 22 fatalities, and more have been reported since.
The U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration says it is alarmed at the spike, which has already surpassed all worker trench deaths in 2021, and is considering referring cases for criminal prosecution as part of a stronger crackdown on trenching violations. OSHA announced its “enforcement staff will consider every available tool at the agency’s disposal.”
It says that will include putting more emphasis on “how agency officials evaluate penalties for trenching and excavation-related incidents, including criminal referrals for federal or state prosecution to hold employers and others accountable when their actions or inactions kill workers or put their lives at risk.”
OSHA inspectors are also on tap to perform more than 1,000 trench inspections this year “where they may stop by, and inspect, any excavation site during their daily duties.”
In the first half of this year, 22 workers died from hazards associated with trench and excavation work, OSHA says.
"Every one of these tragedies could have been prevented had employers complied with OSHA standards," says OSHA Assistant Secretary Doug Parker. "There simply is no excuse for ignoring safety requirements to prevent trench collapses and cave-ins, and leaving families, friends and co-workers to grieve when the solutions are so well-understood."
In July, four more workers have died, according to news reports, bringing the total to at least 26 deaths since January 1.
