Iowa Construction Worker in Trench - Cave In

Steve Lombardi

Attorney
(866) 735-1102 Ext 335

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The Job Safety Handbook covers just this sort of work and provides specific examples of what not to do. Trench boxes can be rented and used on-site making this type of injury less likely to ever occur. Trench safety equipment may include hydraulic vertical shores, multi-shores, horizontal waler systems, lightweight aluminum shields, modular aluminum boxes, trench shields and slide rails are a few of the safety systems that can be rented and would have saved Chase Pointe's employer from a costly hospital visit or an expensive workers' compensation claim.

The Job Safety Handbook:

1. Provide workers a way to get into and out of a trench or excavation such as ladders and ramps. They must be within 25 feet of the worker.
2. For excavations and utility trenches over 5 feet deep, use shoring, shields (trench boxes), benching, or slope back the sides. Unless soil analysis has been completed, the earth's slope must be at least 1½ feet horizontal to 1 vertical (Figure 18).
3. Keep water out of trenches with a pump or drainage system, and inspect the area for soil movement and potential cave-ins.
4. Keep drivers in the cab and workers away from dump trucks when dirt and other debris are being loaded into them. Don't allow workers under any load and train them to stay clear of the backs of vehicles.

Be careful, be aware and be on the alert. Your life may be at stake.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Worksite Injuries and Workers Compensation.