It is no secret that a construction accident can take place in the blink of an eye and under a multitude of scenarios. While safety issues — such as falls from heights and falling objects — remain common concerns in this industry, there may also be a certain level of risk involved when project tasks require you to work within trenches.
Even if working in a trench is necessary to performing project tasks, it can also be intimidating at times, as it might not always be easy to escape danger should the walls of a trench collapse. Knowing some of the most common causes of trench collapses could help you prepare to reduce the risks thereof, but things might not always go as planned.
Prevalent causes
There are a variety of safety concerns that may increase the risk of trench collapses. Some common examples of issues to address to help reduce the risk of similar incidents on California project sites may include:
- Ground stability: Ground instability is a common cause of collapses. Careful inspection of ground soils and proper sloping techniques are two examples of factors that may help protect against unstable ground conditions.
- Pressure and vibration: Heavy construction equipment could place pressure on ground soils near a trench and lead to a greater risk of a collapse. Intense vibrations from nearby tasks could also prompt similar safety concerns.
- Excess water: It may also be vital to use caution when excess water builds in a trench or during times of adverse weather conditions, as similar issues could also impact trench stability.
- Safety inspections: Performing frequent safety inspections of the area could also prove integral to identifying and responding to potential safety risks. Failure to do so could carry dire ramifications.
Unfortunately, trench collapses continue to be a major concern in this industry. The fallout of such an incident could leave you facing a variety of hardships in life.
Trench collapses
Construction accidents involving trench collapses can lead to serious health concerns, such as broken bones, head trauma and exposure to hazardous substances. While dealing with the fallout of such an incident can be harrowing enough as is, if it occurs due to the presence of negligence, the outcome may be even more difficult to accept. While there may be nothing you can do to change what happened, there may be certain options available to help you prepare to protect your future interests and help you approach your recovery with tranquility.
