Epidemic of Trench Deaths in First Half of 2022

By Jordan Barab - Confined Space 

As we pass the midpoint of 2022, we may be headed to a new record for trench collapse fatalities. Dare we call it an epidemic of trench fatalities?

21 people have died already this year in trench collapses, which equals the full year toll in 2019 and 2020. 5 incidents have been double fatalities. "In comparison, 11 workers reportedly died during the same period in 2021, and 12 workers in 2020, according to data compiled by Equipment World from media reports and online searches of U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration investigations."

According to Equipment World and OSHA statistics, an average of 20 workers died in trenches each year between 2011 and 2021. In each of the years 2020 and 2019 OSHA documented 21 deaths and injuries, and only 17 in 2018. There were 35 trench deaths in 2016.

A CPWR survey several years ago of employers, including foremen and supervisors, workers, safety and health professionals, trainers and other construction stakeholders about trench safety had some upsetting results:

  • About 75 percent of respondents said they see no trench protection in place “Frequently” or “Occasionally.”
  • Only 1 in 4 respondents said there was “Always” sufficient pre-planning for trench work. About 1 in 3 said sufficient pre-planning happened “Occasionally.”
  • Only 37 percent of those surveyed said there was “Always” a competent person on site. Having a designated competent person on site is a major requirement of OSHA’s trench standard.
  • About half of those surveyed have refused to enter an unsafe trench at some point during their career.
  • One third of those surveyed said they have witnessed, been involved in or inspected a trench collapse.

And kudos to the National Utility Contractors Association, in partnership with OSHA, for declaring June "Trench Safety Month." But it seems that those contractors who need it most are not taking advantage of the opportunity to learn how not to kill their workers.

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