Analysis of Safety Issues in Trenching Operations

Jeffrey Lew¹, Dulcy M. Abraham², Reini D. Wirahadikusumah³, Javier Irizarry⁴, Carlos Arboleda⁵

Abstract

Excavation and trenching related accidents account for a large percentage of accidents in the construction industry. It is estimated that there are more than one hundred fatalities every year associated
with excavations and trenching operations, including by cave-ins, lack of protective systems, and improper rescues and utilities damages.

A worker performing excavation and trenching operations is protected by OSHA standards. These standards involve most safety aspects: knowledge, training, and experience of the people responsible under the codes. Unfortunately, the codes are often misunderstood or ignored, for example, the requirements for a “competent
person.”

This paper discusses the existing OSHA’s excavation and trenching standards, specifically describing the requirements and the roles of a competent person, and other issues in OSHA Standard 1926 Subpart P. Recent efforts on investigating the causes of trenching-related accidents are also presented.

1. Department of Building Construction Management, Purdue University, West Lafayette

2. School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette

3. School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette

4. School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette

5. School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette

Division of Construction Engineering and Management Purdue University 1235 Civil Eng. Bldg. West Lafayette, IN 47907 Ph:(765)496-2742 Fax:(765)494-0644
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