Construction trenches can be dangerous places
Many of the worst construction incidents involve professionals working at an elevation. Construction professionals may need to perform job functions multiple stories above the ground. They are at risk of falling or of getting struck by falling objects dropped by someone working above them.
It can be equally dangerous for construction professionals to do their jobs below grade. Trenches are necessary for creating or expanding foundations and for installing utility infrastructure. Excavation and trenching are also highly dangerous job tasks in the construction sector.
Why are trenches dangerous?
Gravity is one of the reasons that working in a trench is so dangerous. People at the ground level or higher could drop items that fall into a trench and strike a worker below grade.
Additionally, the instability of the soil nearby, especially after recent weather changes, can increase the likelihood of a cave-in while there are workers below grade. Combine unstable soil with heavy machinery, and that is a recipe for a tragic work incident.
Construction companies generally need to carefully mark the edge of trenches and use appropriate structures, such as trench boxes, to protect workers performing job tasks below grade. When construction incidents occur in trenches, injured professionals may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
Reporting the incident and then consulting with a lawyer can help construction professionals cover their medical expenses and recover their lost income after a preventable construction incident in a trench. They need support to pay for their medical care and to prevent their reduced income from causing hardship for their dependent family members.
Workers’ compensation benefits can be critical for those who work in blue-collar professions, especially if they are too hurt to work.
