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Officials issue hazard alert after rise in trench worker fatalities

April 4, 2018

Trenching and excavation are two operations of OSHA’s construction-industry safety focuses. According to the agency, they are among the most dangerous activities that take place on a construction site, primarily because of the potential for cave-ins.

In addition to stepping up inspections, OSHA is also using another enforcement tool to decrease the danger on jobsites — and thus big fines. For example, in November, OSHA cited a Boise, Idaho contractor for trench violations, and fined the company more than $106,000 after OSHA inspectors found workers in 7-foot-deep trenches with no cave-in protection or safe means of egress.

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