Trench Safety Month 2024

Trench Safety Month kicked off this month, so it’s time we highlight one of the most hazardous aspects of heavy civil construction: trenches. It’s no secret — trench work is dangerous and cave-ins can cause serious injury or worse. That’s why we take extra precautions to ensure we’re working safely, day in and day out.

Sloped, Shored and Shielded

Trench collapses are a major hazard in our line of work. One square foot of soil could weigh 100 pounds. We can prevent accidents by following the right safety measures.

There are three key methods to protect ourselves:

Sloping: This involves cutting the trench wall back at an angle inclined away from the excavation. Using this technique can prevent soil from collapsing.
Shoring: We can keep trench walls in place and secure by using supports like timber and mechanical or hydraulic systems.
Shielding: Trench boxes or other supports can protect workers if a cave-in does happen. Shields are the last line of defense, keeping us protected in worst-case scenarios.

We’re proud to partner with the National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to bring more attention to safer trenching conditions. These partnerships help us stay up-to-date with the latest protocols and ensure we’re following the best practices. Together, we’re committed to making trench safety a top priority.

Every Second Safely

Our safety culture is built around the message: Every Second Safely — that’s how we get it done. This means staying alert and watching out for each other every second we’re on the job. It’s not just about getting the work done fast (though we’re good at that too), it’s about getting it done safely so we can all go home at the end of the day.