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What you need to know

A trench box used to protect workers from cave-ins

Trenching poses significant risks on construction sites, exposing workers to hazards such as falls, falling loads, hazardous atmospheres, mobile equipment incidents, and cave-ins. Did you know, a single cubic yard of soil can weigh as much as a car? Understanding the essential safety measures is vital for your protection.

Trench safety essential precautions:

  • All trenches greater than 5 feet deep must have cave-in protection – benching, sloping, shoring or shielding.
  • All trenches must be inspected by a competent person prior to entering.
  • Materials (spoils) and equipment must be kept at least 2 feet back from the edge of the trench.
  • All trenches greater than 4 feet deep must have ladders, stairways or other safe means of egress.
  • Monitor and provide appropriate protections for water accumulation in trenches. Water accumulation can cause soils to shift and pose hazards to
  • workers.
  • Test for hazardous atmospheres where conditions are likely to occur.

Why trench safety matters

Working within trenches can pose significant hazards to workers. Annual fatalities have increased from an average of 21 per year from 2011-2018 to 39 in 2022 alone,2 with construction accounting for more than 80% of those deaths.1 This is why it is critical that you understand essential safety precautions before you enter a trench.
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More resources

Supplement this talk: Trench safety: Egress
Construction resources: Construction Risk Management

[1] National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Trenching and Excavation Safety. February 23, 2024.

[1] U.S. Department of Labor. State Agencies, Industry Leaders Launch Campaign to Educate Workers of Deadly Excavation Hazards.

The information included is designed for informational purposes only. It is not legal, tax, financial or any other sort of advice, nor is it a substitute for such advice. The information may not apply to your specific situation. We have tried to make sure the information is accurate, but it could be outdated or even inaccurate in parts. It is the reader’s responsibility to comply with any applicable local, state, or federal regulations. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, its affiliates and their employees make no warranties about the information nor guarantee of results, and they assume no liability in connection with the information provided.