Trenching is one of the most dangerous jobs in construction, yet cave-ins still happen far too often. The biggest culprit? No protective system in place.
OSHA requires trenches 5 feet or deeper to have safety measures like sloping, shoring, or trench boxes—yet some crews still take shortcuts, risking lives. The reality? A trench collapse can bury a worker in seconds.
Did you know?
-
A single cubic yard of soil can weigh as much as a small car. Imagine that collapsing on you—there’s almost no time to react.
-
A competent person must inspect trenches daily to ensure conditions are safe.
-
Even shallow trenches can be deadly if soil conditions change or water accumulates.
Other common trenching mistakes include:
-
Not inspecting trenches and protective systems before work starts
-
Placing spoil piles too close to the trench edge (can cause collapse)
-
Unsafe entry and exit points (ladders too far apart or missing)
-
Ignoring underground utilities and nearby structures
Trench collapses are 100% preventable—but only if the right steps are taken. Cutting corners is never worth the risk. Is your job site following the rules?
Need trench safety training? We offer OSHA-compliant training to keep your crew safe and up to code. Call us at 303-537-5832 to schedule a session!
Drop a comment if you've ever seen a trench done right (or very wrong). Let’s keep workers safe!