OSHA Safety

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Whenever weather conditions change in the slightest, the CP should be inspecting the soil for changes.

trenching and shoring protection for your crew

Summer rains can create several challenges when it comes to building a trench and then maintaining trench safety. A cave-in can happen in a matter of seconds, seriously injuring, even killing, a worker. Therefore, it is critical to know how to handle the extra moisture in order to keep your crew safe this summer.

Understanding the Dangers of Trenching and Excavation

OSHA states that trenching and excavation are among the most hazardous construction operations. Cave-ins pose the greatest risk as they result in more worker fatalities than any other type of excavation-related accident. Dozens of workers die each year as a result of cave-ins.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that there were 36 excavation or trenching cave-in deaths in the U.S. in 2016. The majority of these injuries occurred in the construction industry. It’s important for workers to understand that any excavation has the potential to cause serious injury or fatality. Systems must be in place to prevent accidents such a cave-ins. Once in place, these precautions must be carried out consistently.

The Job of the Competent Person

Wet weather can quickly change what’s safe and what is not. When it rains, the water can make the sides of the trench less stable. OSHA requires that trenches must be inspected daily and as conditions change by a CP (competent person). This person is one who is capable of identifying existing problems and also predicting potential problems.

The CP will ensure that the crew is using their protective systems and that they are set up correctly. They will make sure that workers aren’t taking chances, that the ladders are set up properly, and that everything else that goes along with keeping the trench safe is in place before a worker enters it.

According to OSHA 1926.651(h)(1), employees are not allowed to work in excavations in which there is accumulated water, or in excavations in which water is accumulating, until the CP inspects the excavation and stabilizes the trench somehow. Using a trench box is the quickest and easiest way to support a trench wall. Also, the CP needs to take action to remove the water, such as using a pump. If a pump is used, the CP has to make sure it is working properly.

Finally, Inspect! Inspect! Inspect! Whenever weather conditions change in the slightest, the CP should be inspecting the soil for changes. It could alter the protective system that is used, such as if a contractor is using hydraulic shores and water makes the trench walls unstable, shores cannot be used. If a contractor is sloping a trench, as soon as water gets into the trench, the angle of the slope needs to be flattened.

Additional Safety Tips

Other general trenching and excavation rules stated by OSHA include:

  • Keep heavy equipment away from the edges of the trench
  • Do not work under raised loads
  • Determine where underground utilities are located
  • Keep surcharge loads at least 2 feet away from the edges of the trench
  • Test the area for hazardous fumes, toxic gases, and low oxygen
  • Inspect trenches at the start of each shift
  • Inspect the trench after heavy rainfall

St. Louis Trenching and Excavation

At Luby Shoring Services, we are experts in trench shoring and excavation projects. We have the expertise to work with you on site specific engineering services. We can quickly complete any job while meeting OSHA safety regulations.

In addition, we provide a wide selection of standard and custom trench shielding and shoring options. Our equipment is cost effective, safe and versatile, relied upon by underground utility professionals, municipalities and private contractors. All products are Professional Engineer certified to help you meet OSHA’s excavation and trench safety standards.

Let Luby Shoring Services help keep your workers safe this summer! Call us at (636) 660-7467.

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There are certain techniques in the trenching industry that will help to keep your work-site and your employees safe.

In the construction industry, which is already fraught with hazards and dangers, trenching is one of the most hazardous environments that anyone can work in. Trenching is used to hold up the integrity of a job site or a building to give it stability. While rules are in place to deal with trenching sites and government agencies like OSHA are in charge of monitoring, accidents still occur. When regulations are not followed or there is not sufficient training provided, it can lead to severe work injuries.

There are some techniques in the trenching industry that will help to keep your work-site and your employees safer when working around trenching and shoring equipment and projects.

tips and tricks for safer trenching and shoring

Dewatering Utilizing Well Points

One of the biggest hazards of any trenching site is water. When you excavate a site, the key is to minimize any standing water, which can eat away at the integrity of the trench. To eliminate standing water, digging well points to drain is an excellent way to maintain the trench. Once a hole is dug into the ground, insert a pipe and a submersible pump to remove water, especially in sandy soil. The best time to implement this type of water control is three to five days before the excavation even begins. Otherwise, surrounding groundwater will start leaking into your working site. Also, make sure that you place the well points effectively and have the right number of them to accommodate for any water that results from the excavation.

Improving Working and Walking Surfaces

One of the most common ways for someone to hurt themselves in a trenching accident is by slipping and falling. To improve working and walking surfaces, it is important that you make sure that the trench floor is perfectly level for workers. Any dips can lead to someone losing their balance. Another way to improve walking and working surfaces is to add or spread rocks. Not only will the rocks help with drainage, but they will also make surfaces less slick.

The Competent Person

A competent person is an individual who has the capacity to identify the predictable and existing dangers in the workplace. He can clearly perceive the working conditions which are hazardous or unsanitary and pose a risk to the workers. He has the ability to identify the types of soil and design suitable protective systems. He possesses the authority to implement corrective measures to get rid of the hazards.

Trenching is a dangerous practice in the construction industry. To ensure that your worksite is safe for your employees and to keep things running smoothly, an ounce of prevention is totally worth it. Make sure to factor in things like the skill level of the management you hire, the working surfaces, and how to accommodate for different soils to keep everything running on time and as planned.

St. Louis Trench Shoring Services

With more than 70 years of experience, trust Luby Shoring Services. We strive to provide reliable service, proven innovative shoring and shielding products, and an experienced staff to supply working solutions for your project’s specific needs. Call us today at (636) 660-7467 or fill out our online contact form.

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Only someone who understands the complexity and hazards of cave-in accidents can help to keep everyone at the worksite safe!

Trenching is one of the most hazardous practices in the construction industry. When a structures’ integrity is compromised and needs to be repaired, or a building is being constructed and needs to have safety guards in check to keep the walls from collapsing, trenching is the practice that helps keep everyone safe. But trenching is only safe if done properly. Cave-ins are common in the construction industry. They can be highly destructive to the construction site and to the trench workers.

how to prevent trenching and shoring injuries

What are the common reasons that trenches cave in?

Soil is held up is by the force placed upon it by the soil next to it. This means that when trenches are dug, the soil that was holding up the surrounding walls of the trench can be compromised, and there is no force placed on it to hold it up. That leaves a vertical wall of soil with no opposing force to keep it upright or to lend it support. That is why some trenches fail to stand and can lead to cave-ins. 

Protective systems and methods for excavated soils

The Occupational Safety and Hazards Administration is the government agency tasked with protecting trenching workers. OSHA employees work at the state level, and their purpose is to protect workers from serious construction site injuries. OSHA’s rules state that a trench must be dug a minimum of five feet into the soil to prevent the risk of a cave-in.

They also require that employees be trained about the importance of the protective measures set in place by OSHA — not just to the job site, but to their safety. The safety systems that are commonly employed are:

  • Benching or sloping of the soil – One of the simplest methods to protect trenching workers, benching is when the walls of the excavation are either sloped or benched, depending on the type of soil in place at the site. As the soil and its stability are reduced, so is the angle at which the trench is sloped. If conditions are not safe for benching or sloping due to the soil conditions, shoring or shielding must be used.
  • Shoring – Shoring is a system that provides lateral support to oppose the force of the wall to prevent it from collapsing. It involves either timber or metal uprights through sheet piling or other accepted methods. As shoring is used to protect larger worksite areas, crews can typically work inside or next to the excavated site without fear of a cave-in accident.
  • Shielding – Unlike shoring, shielding isn’t a system used to prevent a cave-in of trench walls, it is used to protect employees from having specific areas of the trenching site cave in on workers. Most commonly called “trench boxing,” it is designed specifically for workers’ protection and can be moved around the trenching site.

The type of system that is most effective to prevent cave-in accidents in any trenching worksite depends on many factors. Only someone who understands the complexity and hazards of cave-in accidents can help to keep everyone at the worksite safe and to keep your construction site working efficiently and safely for everyone.

Luby Shoring Services

When it comes to excavating projects, rely on Luby Shoring Services’ expertise. We will help you complete any job quickly, while meeting OSHA safety regulations. We have a wide range of options available for fast delivery, and our team will provide options for the correct equipment to use with your job.

Our team will pair your job with the right trench shields and shoring products. Call us today at (636) 660-7487 or fill out our online contact form.

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The best way to ensure you are following OSHA’s rules is to hire someone who is competent to run the operation and who has the expertise to keep things in check.

Trenching and shoring in the construction industry are two of the most dangerous operations that exist. That is why the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has so many procedures, rules, and regulations in place to protect those who work on or near trenching sites. The problem is that although operations are guided by OSHA regulations, there is not always someone overseeing the site to make sure that everyone is following protocol.

There are some companies that run outside the confines of being regulated by OSHA, which means that they try to cut corners and receive lower fines for doing so. Even if you aren’t caught, the result is that you can be subject to some severe and stiff penalties and costs in the event that someone gets hurt. That is why it is important for your managers not only to know what OSHA’s rules dictate, but also that they follow them – regardless of whether or not you are closely monitored.

The Importance of the Competent Person

The best way to ensure you are following OSHA rules is to hire someone who is competent to run the operation and who has the expertise necessary to keep everyone and everything in check. They must have the authority to manage not just the site but the many types of personalities that they will likely be dealing with. Because accidents can happen when rules aren’t followed, finding someone skilled enough to be on top of employee issues is important.

A trenching manager should:

  • Communicate with the staff regarding the responsibilities and the dangers of working at a trenching site. Communicating effectively means being able to explain why things should be done a certain way and what the potential hazards are if those procedures aren’t followed.
  • Be capable of completing a protective system to manage the trenching site efficiently and understand what the proper dimensions, including width and depth, need to be to accommodate for various soil conditions.
  • Must be able to multitask, keeping an eye on the overall trenching operation as well as the individual workers to ensure that they are trained properly and following the right protective standards necessary to keep everyone safe.
  • Must understand how to both excavate and inspect the areas around the trenching site.
  • Must understand how to evaluate and ensure that the concentration of oxygen is sufficient for workers or to evaluate if there are any hazardous gases.
  • Must be capable of anticipating any vulnerabilities, and if they are observed – even in cases where it is workers who aren’t skilled enough – be able to remove them to minimize the potential for danger.

Although they are supposed to be regulated by OSHA, there are many trenching operations that are never inspected or even evaluated unless a red flag goes up. That does not mean that it isn’t important for you to ensure that you have the proper safety guidelines in place and a competent person to follow them. That is the only way to ensure that you aren’t left with huge fines or even a wrongful death suit on your hands.

St. Louis Trench Shoring & Excavation Services Call (636) 660-7467 :: Experts in trench shoring and excavation projects.

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If excavation work sites aren’t properly constructed, then this puts the workers at great risk.

Trench Safety St Louis

Trenching and excavating are both extremely dangerous processes involved in many construction projects. Because of the high levels of risk, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) heavily monitors the way that trenching and excavation sites are constructed. If worksites aren’t properly constructed, there is a high probability that you can compromise the integrity of your structure and that an employee will end up getting injured.

OSHA Safety Procedures

OSHA regulates the particulars about how a trenching or excavation site is built and maintained. The newest guideline changes cover the following parts of operation:

  • Dangers related to trenching operations. Since trenching sites are so dangerous, OSHA guidelines are in place to prevent cave-ins that can jeopardize workers, create hazardous atmospheres for surrounding environments, and limit the hazards associated with the machinery needed for trenching.
  • The classification of soil types. Trenching sites differ according to the type of soil surrounding them. Since the soil type can greatly affect the risks associated with trenching sites, there are guidelines on how the soil is classified.
  • Who is running the trenching site? There are specific things that the supervisor of a trenching site must know to keep things running smoothly and safely. OSHA requires that every trenching site have a “competent person” in charge to ensure that the trench is both constructed and maintained in a specific manner to limit risks. That person needs to have experience with site inspection, soil classification, structural ramp design, water removal monitoring, knowledge of water removal equipment and protective systems.
  • Planning factors ahead of time. Before a trenching site can be put into execution, there needs to be a lot of pre-planning done to accommodate risks and to make the site as safe as possible. Since no two sites will ever be the same, they must be approached with specific conditions in mind and constructed accordingly.
  • Working around existing utilities. Before you can begin to construct a trenching site, it must be examined to ensure that there aren’t any existing utilities hidden underground, like a gas line. Before you dig, you have to call 811 to have an inspection of the site to ensure that you aren’t going to be digging into something dangerous.
  • Protective systems necessary during excavation. Before you even start excavating your trenching site, you have to determine the bench and the slope of the operation. It is also required that you appropriately support all sides of the excavation site, and to shield the site and the work area to keep people out.

Because trenching is such a dangerous part of a construction worksite, there are many restrictions on what you can and can’t do, and how trenching sites are managed and who can manage them. It is important to know what the OSHA guidelines are to keep your workers safe and to stop yourself from incurring fines and being cited for unsafe practices.

St. Louis Trench Shoring & Excavation Services

Get in touch with our St. Louis trench shoring services team to talk about your project. Call us today at (636) 660-7467 or fill out our online contact form.

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To keep workers safe don’t set unrealistic goals or offer incentives for things to get done quickly or under budget.

Trench Safety St. Louis

Trenching is considered a highly-dangerous occupation in the construction field. The reality is that just one yard of cubic dirt can weigh as much as 3,000 pounds, which is enough to crush a worker or trap him underneath if the trench is compromised and gives in. That is why having the proper safety measures in place is so crucial to keep everyone safe on a trenching site.

Why Trench Safety is So Important

Fatal trenching incidents have as much as doubled in just the last year. OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, insists that if better safety measures had been implemented, most of those accidents would not have happened. If trenching companies would do a better job of keeping sites safe, then the number of accidents would decrease significantly. Keeping your job site safe is not only a moral obligation, it is also a law. If an accident happens, it is possible for those in charge to face criminal charges.

Setting Realistic Time Frames

One of the biggest reasons that things go wrong is because trenching workers are often on tight schedules to get jobs done. When they are in a time crunch, it is not uncommon for them to cut safety corners to finish on time. That can lead to workers and managers being careless and making decisions based on time efficiency, rather than on the safety of employees. Make sure to set realistic goals when you are running a trenching operation. Scheduling strict time frames that are unrealistic will only jeopardize your workers and increase the likelihood of accidents.

Another reason that things go awry and workers get hurt is that supervisors and managers are often given incentives in the form of bonuses for getting a job done on time or even ahead of schedule. To cut costs, supervisors will bend the rules or put workers in riskier positions to get goals met and to reap the benefit. As a trenching company, you do want to set goals and to offer an efficient operation, but offering your supervisors and managers money to get it done quickly might not be the best way to ensure the safety of your overall operation.

Finally, it costs more to do things right. Having the proper safety measures in place is a little costlier for the company and hiring safety managers might seem like an additional cost that can hurt a company’s bottom line. But what will really put a kink in your budget would be if your operation was shut down, you are fined, or someone gets hurt and you face criminal prosecution.

Trenching is a highly dangerous but necessary component of construction. If you want to keep your workers and your operation safe, then don’t set unrealistic goals or offer incentives for things to get done quickly or under budget. Invest in your workers, and they will invest in your company. It will also ensure that the job gets done right and that everyone is much safer.

Call Luby Shoring Services at (636) 660-7467 or Fill Out Our Online Contact Form.

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Each year, many people lose their lives in trench collapse accidents.

Trenches are one of the most dangerous places to work in. In fact, each year, many people lose their lives in trench collapse accidents. It is unfortunate that while trench collapse deaths are easily preventable, a large number of these deaths still occur each year. Some common causes of trench related injuries and deaths are:

  • Pressures of time and money
  • Lack of supervision
  • Ignorance to safety rules
  • Laziness or general negligence

Having provided St. Louis trench shoring services on various work sites, we have realized that some sites have very poor operational and safety procedures for working in trenches. Many people do not even understand the basic safety requirements. They are supposed to provide a means of egress at a depth of 4 feet, and proper protective systems at 5 feet deep. However, many are not even aware of these basics, and they tend to compromise the safety of workers.

Most construction companies claim that safety comes first. However, all too often this is not reflect in their actions. Each year, a large number of trench collapse deaths are reported. In 2016, more trench collapse deaths were reported than the previous year. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 2016 saw more trench collapse deaths than 2014 and 2015 combined. There were 11 deaths each reported in 2014 and 2015, while there were 23 deaths in 2016. While the numbers seem shocking, they also highlight the urgent need to take appropriate safety measures.

In all these years of providing St. Louis trench shoring services, we have come to understand that trench collapses happen pretty fast and have devastating consequences. Consider this – a cubic yard of soil can weigh as much as 3,000 pounds. You can therefore imagine the amount of damage it can inflict.

In a statement released by OSHA, it was quoted that trench fatalities have more than doubled since 2015, which is an unacceptable and alarming trend. One OSHA official said, ”There is no excuse. These fatalities are completely preventable by complying with OSHA standards that every construction contractor should know.” (Source)

While the construction company is primarily responsible for the safety of all workers, it is also the responsibility of everyone else to follow proper safety practices and standards. Recently, a general contractor and foreman were convicted of criminal negligence after a laborer died in a trench collapse accident in New York. Apart from facing criminal negligence charges, companies may also have to pay huge fines. A company in Ohio had to pay more than $200,000 after a worker was crushed to death in a trench collapse last year. The company had failed to provide appropriate trench cave-in protection, failed to train employees in recognizing hazards, and failed to protected employees from excavated material rolling into a trench or falling from inside the trench walls.

Need help with your project? Call Luby Shoring Services today at (636) 660-7467.

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Maintaining the expected standards of safety are key to preventing trenching accidents.

st louis trench shoring

Trenching and shoring tasks involve a lot of hard work. As if that is not enough, the enormous chances of accidents make the job even tougher. So workers who begin excavation work must prepare themselves properly and take all the necessary precautions before they undertake the massive task.

Do Your Homework

Do not forget to do the homework before embarking on the task. Take the time to make a thorough study of the safety guidelines. Read and re-read the instructions so that you do not miss anything important. A slight mistake can be injurious to your well being. These regulations have been formulated on the basis of earlier experiences of other trench workers. Learn from their mistakes and be safe. As it is rightly said, knowledge is power. Equip yourself with all the essential knowledge to avert an accident.

Study the Ground Conditions

Study the condition of the ground properly. Try to get as much information as possible from others about the prevalent risks. This will enable you to do the job appropriately and adequately. For instance, you must be familiar with the nature of the ground, whether it is made up of sand, dirt, or a rocky mix. You need to be acquainted with the weather patterns too. Try to find out if the weather has been windy or rainy recently because these things have a lot of impact on the texture of the ground.

Use the Right Equipment

Make sure you use equipment which has been approved for the work. Such equipment can go a long way in preventing accidents as it is specially designed for excavation work. The safety equipment is made keeping in mind the depth of the trenches and the
installation methods involved. Sometimes you may be able to find videos which demonstrate how to use the equipment. You can also contact people who provide this type of equipment and get a good bargain for renting or purchasing them. It will save a lot of time and energy as those people may offer all the information you need to do the work safely.

Adopt the Right Approach

Do not be careless and overlook the risks involved in the work. Remember, prevention is key. It may be a much easier task to pay full attention to the regulations and do the work carefully than to undo the harm once it is done. Try your best to do the work in absolute conjunction with the guidelines laid down. This will save you the hassle of paying fines and facing other issues when an accident occurs. Spend some time in laying the groundwork. Take due precautions and discharge your duty safely and successfully. Aim to have zero incidents on the trenching site. Maintain the expected standards of safety and avoid accidents. It is in your best interest to hire professional St. Louis trench shoring services. This will ensure that your project goes smoothly and safely.

Call Luby Shoring Services today at (636) 660-7467.

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