Excavation work, whether for new infrastructure, bridges, or underground utilities, poses inherent risks, including employee exposure to unstable soil conditions, potential collapses, and serious injuries. This article reviews a real-life soil collapse during excavation incident, examining its causes, consequences, and lessons learned to help prevent similar incidents for workers in a similar field.
Work Began to Excavate a Trench
At a construction site, a crew was excavating a trench approximately 12 feet deep to install underground utilities. The crew proceeded with their work under the assumption that the soil was stable enough to hold.
During the excavation, an unexpected soil shift caused a sudden collapse, burying one worker up to his chest and trapping another completely under the soil. Rescue teams were deployed, and while the partially buried worker was successfully freed with minor injuries, the trapped worker suffered fatal asphyxiation before he could be rescued.
The Consequences
What the workers inevitably learned was that their decision to dig a trench without proper protective systems in excavation or necessary training resulted in the loss of worker’s life.
Contributing Factors to Excavation Incident:
- Lack of Protective Systems – The trench lacked shoring, shielding, or appropriate sloping, which could have prevented the collapse.
- Inadequate Soil Assessment – No proper soil classification or stability assessment was performed before excavation.
- Failure to Follow Safety Regulations – OSHA trenching and excavation standards were not adhered to, increasing the risk to workers.
- Absence of a Competent Person on Site – A qualified individual was not present to evaluate and monitor excavation hazards.
- Complacency and Risk Underestimation – Workers and supervisors assumed that prior stability meant continued safety.
Not only did the company face significant regulatory penalties and legal actions for failing to comply with safety standards, but they were also challenged with the emotional trauma suffered by coworkers, first responders, and the victim’s family. Projects were delayed and the company was placed under increased scrutiny of site safety protocols.
Lessons Learned
This tragic excavation collapse highlights the importance of following proper safety procedures, using protective systems, and maintaining a vigilant approach to hazard identification and control. By implementing these six lessons, companies can protect workers from the same fate and ensure safer excavation practices moving forward.
- Always Implement Protective Systems – Use trench boxes, shoring, or sloping techniques to prevent collapses in excavations deeper than five feet.
- Conduct Proper Soil Analysis – Before excavation, assess soil conditions and adjust protective measures accordingly.
- Ensure Compliance with Safety Standards – Adhere to OSHA and industry best practices to maintain a safe work environment.
- Designate a Competent Person – A trained professional must be on-site to monitor excavation conditions and intervene if hazards arise.
- Provide Continuous Safety Training – Educate workers on excavation hazards, emergency procedures, and the importance of following safety protocols.
- Empower Workers to Stop Unsafe Work – Encourage employees to report hazards and halt work if safety measures are inadequate.
Excavation Training and Hazard Assessments
Does your worksite require a third-party hazard assessment/safety inspection to make sure your team is meeting regulatory requirements and safeguarding against excavation incidents? Or do you have workers requiring competent person excavation training or qualified person excavation training? For all of these needs and more, contact environmental, health, and safety (EHS) experts at Cardinal Compliance Consultants.