OSHA Responds to ‘Alarming’ Increase in Trench Deaths
Post date
July 25, 2022
Body
Zachary Phillips, Construction Dive
In response to an “alarming” increase in trench-related fatalities, OSHA has launched an enhanced enforcement initiative to protect workers from the hazard, the Department of Labor organization announced.
In the first six months of 2022, 22 workers died from hazards in trench and excavation work, according to OSHA. That surpassed the 15 that perished in all of 2021.
OSHA said it would consider various enforcement tools, including adding emphasis for how officials evaluate penalties, and criminal referrals for federal or state prosecution to hold employers or others accountable for putting workers’ lives at risk.