June 2023 has been declared “Trench Safety Month” by the National Utility Contractors Association. This declaration of safety further highlights the association's innovative educational and safety program, the “Trench Safety Stand-Down” (TSSD) week, that is held this week, June 19 - 23, 2023.

Trench collapses and cave-ins are a serious threat to workers, but they can be prevented. When done safely, trenching operations can reduce worker exposure to cave-ins, falling loads, hazardous atmospheres, and hazards from mobile equipment. OSHA standards require that trenches and protective systems be inspected daily — and as conditions change — by a competent person before work begins.

Selecting June as Trench Safety Month is a natural tie-in to the lessons and demonstrations being completed at thousands of NUCA member jobsites during TSSD Week. In 2019, more than 47,000 member employees and first responders, from over 4,500 jobsites and 324 organizations, took part in the stand-down. Together, they learned the importance of being safe around their jobsite’s excavations and trenches. The lessons and demonstrations were taught not only by industry experts, but by attendees’ peers, as well.

TSSD Week is a series of organized events held by NUCA and industry members to emphasize the message of safety around jobsite trenches and excavations. TSSD Week is used by industry safety professionals to hold safety training, educational seminars, live demonstrations of trench rescues, and the other activities to reinforce the message of trench safety.

Additional information on NUCA’s TSSD Week is available at: https://www.nuca.com/tssd

View the OSHA Quick Card on Working Safely in Trenches here: https://www.osha.gov/.../publ.../trench_safety_tips_card.pdf

HazTek offers professional training on more than 75 different topics — including excavation safety — with virtual options available for all of our training classes. We can also provide customized training based on your policies and procedures. To learn how HazTek can help, please contact us at: 888-842-9835 or info@haztekinc.com or go to www.haztekinc.com

Credit to: NUCA and OSHA

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