Since October 1, 2022, 24 workers fell victim to the deadly hazards present in trenching and excavation work – surpassing 15 in all of 2021 – and prompting the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration to launch enhanced enforcement initiatives to protect workers from known industry hazards.

“The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is calling on all employers engaged in trenching and excavation activities to act immediately to ensure that required protections are fully in place every single time their employees step down into or work near a trench,” says Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker. “In a matter of seconds, workers can be crushed and buried under thousands of pounds of soil and rocks in an unsafe trench. The alarming increase in the number of workers needlessly dying and suffering serious injuries in trenching incidents must be stopped.”

In support of OSHA’s National Emphasis Program for excavations & trenching, the Oklahoma Safety Council is hosting this half-day Excavation & Trench Safety Stand Down. This event is part of our ongoing partnership with OSHA, the Oklahoma Department of Labor, and the Oklahoma City Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals.

Join us for this half-day educational event.

8:30-8:45 – Introductions & Welcome

8:45-9:30 OSHA Excavation Frequently Most Cited Hazards in Enforcement – Steven Kirby & Meghan Christie, Area Director, Federal OSHA

9:30-10:00- Trenching & Excavation Hazards/Solutions – Betsey Kulakowski, Oklahoma Safety Council

10:00-10:15 – Break

10:15-11:15 – Case Studies, Lessons Learned – Bill Young, ASSP & OG&E

11:15-12:00 – Common Hazard Identified in Trenching – Jason Hudson & Joey Griffith, Oklahoma Department of Labor

Lunch sponsored by the Oklahoma City Chapter of the ASSP.