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U.S. Department of Labor | September 27, 2018
WASHINGTON, DC –
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) has developed a series of compliance assistance resources to help keep
workers safe from trenching and excavation hazards. OSHA’s goal is to increase
awareness of trenching hazards in construction, educate job creators and
workers on safe cave-in prevention solutions, and decrease the number of trench
collapses. These resources, which continue the goals of the Department’s
recently announced Office of Compliance Initiatives (OCI), encourage and
facilitate compliance evaluations.
Trench-related injuries are preventable when workers are
properly trained and the required protections are in place. OSHA is working
with industry stakeholders and providing new compliance assistance resources.
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U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta
recorded audio public service announcements in English
and Spanish
that highlight effective ways to stay safe when working around trenches and
excavations. A 45-second video, “5 Things You Should Know to Stay
Safe,” also highlights well-known and proven safety measures that
can eliminate hazards and prevent worker injuries.
·
An updated trenching operations QuickCard provides
information on protecting workers around trenches, including daily inspections,
and trench wall safety.
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OSHA’s revised “Protect
Workers in Trenches” poster provides a quick reminder of the three
ways to prevent dangerous trench collapses: SLOPE or bench trench walls, SHORE
trench walls with supports, or SHIELD trench walls with trench boxes. The
poster is available in English and Spanish.
·
An updated trenching and excavation webpage
provides additional information on trenching hazards and solutions.
OSHA’s On-Site
Consultation Program provides valuable services for job creators
that are separate from enforcement. OSHA recently published an analysis
demonstrating how the agency’s On-Site Consultation Program contributes $1.3
billion to the national economy each year. Job creators who implement workplace
improvements can reduce lost time due to injuries and illnesses, improve
employee morale, increase productivity, and lower workers’ compensation
insurance premiums.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970,
employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their
employees. OSHA’s role is to help ensure these conditions for America’s working
men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training,
education and assistance. For more
information, visit http://www.osha.gov.
OCI – housed within the Department of Labor’s Office
of the Assistant Secretary for Policy – fosters a compliance assistance culture
within the Department designed to complement its ongoing enforcement efforts.
This Office focuses on helping enforcement agencies more effectively use online
resources to deliver information and compliance assistance to help the American
people. In August 2018, OCI launched Worker.gov and Employer.gov to provide information about workers’ rights and the
responsibilities of job creators toward their workers.
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Media Contacts:
Eric Holland, 202-693-4676, Holland.eric.w@dol.gov
Release Number: 18-1583-NAT
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