Working in a trench can lead to severe injuries

Construction workers face many significant hazards in the workplace. They work with heavy equipment that can cause catastrophic injuries. They use their bodies to perform repetitive motions. They frequently perform job functions at an elevation, leaving them vulnerable to falls. 

Other times, they must work below grade in trenches. Trenches are common at construction sites. Updating or installing plumbing and electrical supplies may require trenches. So can new construction, as the excavation is part of installing a foundation. 

Workers in trenches are vulnerable, especially if their employers don’t adhere to current safety standards. 

Trenches require reinforcement

No matter how stable the soil seems and how experienced the employees at a construction site may be, trench injuries are a constant hazard in the construction sector. The ground in and around a trench can shift without warning. Recent precipitation, fluctuations in temperature and the movement of heavy machinery nearby can all cause soil to move, resulting in a cave-in that can cause crush injuries or worse. 

Construction companies generally need to use trench boxes to reinforce the sides of a trench. They also need to ensure that workers receive proper training and use appropriate safety gear, including hard hats, to protect them from dropped objects and other safety hazards. Construction professionals injured in a trench-related incident may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. 

Reporting the incident to management, seeking appropriate medical care and filing a claim for workers’ compensation benefits can help injured professionals cover their expenses. Workers’ compensation can pay for treatment costs and replace lost wages after a trench cave-in or other injurious incident at a construction site.