Trench collapses are dangerous, but they are also in some cases preventable. Still, workers are seriously injured or killed every year when trenches in which they are working collapse and cave in on top of them. There are safety mandates governing this type of work that are designed to help prevent such tragedies, but unfortunately, the accidents continue to occur.<\/p>\n
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that 350 workers were killed in trench collapses between 2000 and 2009. These accidents are especially insidious because there is normally little or no warning of an impending collapse. Even a cubic yard of dirt can exert enough pressure to cause death when it falls on a worker.<\/p>\n
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has regulations in place governing trench work. Unfortunately, these regulations are sometimes ignored. According to OSHA, 64 percent of the fatalities that took place between 1997 and 2001 occurred in shallow depths rather than deep ones. Those most at risk include workers involved in excavation, pipe, sewer line installation, building power lines and installing underground communication wires. <\/p>\n