There are many major risks that affect the safety of construction professionals. Heavy equipment is always a safety concern. Needing to work at a significant elevation is also a risk factor. Falls are a leading cause of injury and death among construction professionals.
Some construction workers may try to limit their injury risk by staying on the ground as much as possible. In some cases, they may have to perform job functions below ground level. Workers may not realize that working below grade can be as dangerous as working at a significant elevation. Construction professionals performing job functions in trenches are at risk of several major hazards.
Trench work can prove deadly
There are many hazards associated with working below grade in the construction sector. Construction professionals are constantly at risk of a cave-in incident. Particularly in areas with relatively loose soil or when working after precipitation rainfall, the ground can shift and trap workers. They can sustain crush injuries or even suffocate in a cave-in scenario.
Even stable, dry soil can cave in when workers operate heavy machinery or place materials near the edge of a trench. Best practices typically include using trench boxes to support the walls of a trench whenever possible and having trained professionals at the job site inspect the trench before allowing workers to enter it.
Even if the trench walls do not collapse, workers are still vulnerable to many kinds of injuries. Professionals working near the trench could fall into the trench or drop tools and equipment into it. Getting struck by falling objects can cause significant or even deadly injuries.
In some cases, trench workers might be vulnerable to chemical exposure when the use of certain gases might lead to compounds pooling at the lowest point nearby. Construction workers injured in trench-related incidents may have major medical expenses to cover. They may also miss weeks of work as they heal from their injuries. Workers’ compensation benefits can help pay for their treatment and replace some of their lost wages.
Identifying and avoiding known job hazards can help keep construction workers safer. However, professionals also need to be ready to file workers’ compensation claims if they end up injured while on the job because, unfortunately accidents happen.
