Tag: construction fatalities

Safety

Construction deaths drop in 2017, but industry remains most-fatal sector

Construction industry deaths dropped between 2016 and 2017, but the construction still remains the most fatal sector according to the annual AFL-CIO report.

April 30, 2019

Death by Trench

Dirt doesn’t discriminate: Experienced and inexperienced workers vulnerable to trench collapse

When it comes to trench collapses, the company hierarchy and job site experience will not matter at the time of the accident. Details on trench collapse here.

August 7, 2018

Safety

Make trench safety reminders prevalent on your jobsite with OSHA’s free “Slope It. Shore It. Shield It.” stickers

OSHA's message is simple: "Slope it. Shore it. Shield it." Provide trench safety reminders on jobsites easily with OSHA's new stickers.

August 2, 2018

Safety

OSHA cites Karrenbrock Excavating $189K for repeated trench safety violations

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Karrenbrock Excavating is a repeat offender when it comes to trench safety violations.

July 25, 2018

Death by Trench

The evolution of trench protection systems and how to choose the right one

The basics of trench protection pre-date OSHA’s 1989 regulation, yet many contractors still act like it's a mystery. More information on trench protection here.

July 4, 2018

Death by Trench

First on the Scene: Trench rescues are methodical, labor intensive and often unsuccessful

“Not a hell of a lot of people survive it.” That’s the assessment of Fire Chief Cecil “Buddy” Martinette Jr. of Wilmington, North Carolina, the author of the textbook “Trench Rescue” and a frequently cited expert on rescue training. “A majority of people out there who install underground utilities do it according to the book,” […]

July 2, 2018

Death by Trench

Not So Great Escapes: Trench collapse survivors live with fear, disabilities, recriminations

It was going to be an easy fix. The backhoe operator had clipped a small drainage pipe, and water poured into the 6 ½-foot trench. As the operator scooped the water out of the trench, Eric Giguere watched. No problem. They’d get the pipe fixed, and Giguere would be off on his honeymoon. He went […]

June 26, 2018

Death by Trench

Families of trench collapse victims find few answers to “Why?”

“I wanted to go to the site, and no one would take me.” But Cheryl Spencer insisted. She was there behind the police tape when first responders recovered her husband, Jimmy Dale Spencer, at 4:35 p.m. on March 21, 2016, she says. The 61-year-old died in an 8-foot trench in Alliance, Nebraska. The morning of […]

June 22, 2018

Death by Trench

Buried alive in Blue Earth County: How one contractor’s missteps took one life, shattered others and ruined his business

Equipment World tells the story of Casey Rady's experience working for Vortex Drain Tiling and the loss of his best friend on a job site.

June 20, 2018

Death by Trench

2016-2017 Trench Collapse Fatalities: The victims

June 14, 2018

Death by Trench

7 ways to dig an early grave

June 14, 2018

Death by Trench

Before you dig: Know your soil type

June 14, 2018