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.

Trench Safety Stand Down (TSSD) Week includes a series of organized events held by the National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) and industry members to emphasize the message of safety around jobsite trenches and excavations. This year’s TSSD Week is being held from June 14th through the 18th.

The goal of the annual TSSD event is to reach out to the many laborers who work in and around trenches and excavations and to provide them with information about current excavation requirements and safety procedures for working in trenches. NUCA has been holding TSSD Week since 2016, with OSHA joining as a partner the following year. In 2020, NUCA declared the month of June as “Trench Safety Month.”

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

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

HazTek offers professional training on more than 75 different topics — including excavation safety — and virtual options are 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 http://haztekinc.com

Credit to: NUCA and OSHA