2019 NSC Congress & Expo

113 - Trench and Excavation Hazards: Insight on Newly Acquired Data and Managing the Risks (Room 25C)

10 Sep 19
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Tracks: Research to Practice

Speaker(s): Joe Wise, Regional Customer Training Manager, United Rentals Trench Safety; Eileen Betit, Director, Research to Practice, CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training;

Moderator(s): Jerry Bach, SVP Safety & Health Services, Safety Center Incorporated

Trench incidents and fatalities have increased at an alarming rate over the past several years – so much so that OSHA, intent on reversing this trend, updated its National Emphasis Program on Trenching and Excavation in October 2018. Collaborative efforts are underway to increase awareness and knowledge of trench safety hazards through outreach by OSHA, trade associations and industry experts. In support of these efforts, CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training – conducted a survey this year to aid the industry’s understanding of the factors that may contribute to trenching incidents and fatalities. In this session, we’ll dive into the latest findings from that survey and discuss solutions for mitigating the risks.