What’s driving a 70% decrease in US trench worker fatalities?

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:

  1. SLOPE or bench trench walls
  2. SHORE walls with supports
  3. 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.

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