Safety First!
Hey engineering community, this one’s a must-read. A recent Construction Briefing article (March 3, 2025) highlights an impressive 70 % drop in trench-related fatalities in the U.S. from 2022 to 2024. That’s a massive win for safety, and it has meaningful lessons for us all
What’s Behind the Drop?
- In 2022, 39 trench-collapse fatalities were recorded. That fell to 15 in 2023, then just 12 in 2024 (through November)
- This marks the lowest trench-death toll in years—and aligns with broader OSHA data showing a downward trend in overall construction fatalities (from 928 in FY 2023 to 826 in FY 2024)
The Power of Alliances
This improvement didn’t happen by accident. In mid-2023, OSHA partnered with several organisations—including NUCA, CGA, AEM, AGC, and labor unions—to form the “Partners for Safe Trenching and Excavation Operations Alliance.” Their mission: to bring shared safety messaging and authority to small- and mid-sized firms
“This steep 70 % decrease since 2022 shows the effectiveness of focused safety partnerships,” said CGA
Outreach, Training & Digital Tools
Key initiatives helping drive progress:
- Trench Safety Summits and live demos across various U.S. states
- NUCA’s annual Trench Safety Stand Down, reaching over 20,000 workers during June’s Trench Safety Month
- CGA’s freely available “Best Practices” guide—including visuals, digital content, and training materials
- Introduction of digital training tools, ensuring consistent messaging across states—particularly valuable for smaller contractors without in-house training
Erika Lee (CGA EVP) noted:
“Small- and mid-sized companies don’t have a lot of in‑house training… it’s really instrumental… to put [these tools] in front of these small- to mid-size companies”
OSHA’s Zero-Tolerance & Best Practices
OSHA’s firm enforcement is another key driver. According to CGA, serious incidents are more common where enforcement is weaker . OSHA’s core safety protocols rest on three pillars:
- SLOPE or bench trench walls
- SHORE walls with supports
- SHIELD walls using trench boxes
Plus essential practices: secure entry/exit, keep material away from edges, and inspect trenches before entry
What This Means for Civil Engineers
There’s a powerful playbook here:
- Cross-industry collaboration amplifies impact—partnerships work.
- Hands-on training events and accessible digital content make real change.
- Consistent best practices, even in regions with varying regulations, create uniform safety outcomes.
- Rigorous enforcement, along with shared accountability, reinforces a culture of safety.
Final Thoughts
The 70% reduction in trench fatalities shows that comprehensive, multi-stakeholder safety efforts work. For projects at all scales—urban underground utilities, roadworks, structural foundations—this is a blueprint worth adopting.