Trench collapse kills Texas worker

A trench collapse accident in Texas has claimed the life of a construction worker.  The man was working in a 10 foot deep trench working on hooking up a new water tower when the trench collapsed on him.  The collapse partially covered him in dirt and caused injuries which resulted in his death.

Trenching and excavations are some of the most dangerous operations in construction work.  Between 2000 and 2006, 271 construction workers were killed in trench collapse accidents.  Because this is such dangerous work, detailed OSHA regulations spell out exactly what must be done to prevent injuries and fatalities from trench collapse injuries.  Violating OSHA regulations can very easily lead to trench collapses and serious injuries to workers inside the trench.

Many workers who are entrapped during a trench collapse suffered serious injuries from the weight of the dirt, but more alarming, are suffocated when the pressure against their chests and abdomens no longer allow them to breathe, resulting in suffocation.

In almost every contract I have seen for construction work, the general contractor promises to do the work in compliance with OSHA standards, which includes complying with trenching regulations.  Because the rules are so well-established and the dangers of trench work and excavation are so well-known, there is no excuse for general contractors to not be right on top of this kind of work, making sure that proper safety precuations are taken.  That was obviously not the case in this accident in Texas where the dead worker was in a 10-foot deep trench with no protection.