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Alarming Rise in Trench-related Fatalities Spurs US Department of Labor to Announce Enhanced Nationwide Enforcement, Additional Oversight
U.S. Department of Labor | July 14, 2022
22 workers have perished in the first half of 2022, a 68 percent increase over all of 2021
WASHINGTON – In 2022’s first six months, 22 workers have fallen victim to the deadly hazards present in trenching and excavation work – surpassing 15 in all of 2021 – and prompting the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration to launch enhanced enforcement initiatives to protect workers from known industry hazards.
To stress the dangers of disregarding federal workplace safety requirements for trenching and excavation work, OSHA enforcement staff will consider every available tool at the agency’s disposal. These actions will emphasize how agency officials evaluate penalties for trenching and excavation-related incidents, including criminal referrals for federal or state prosecution to hold employers and others accountable when their actions or inactions kill workers or put their lives at risk.
In keeping with its National Emphasis Program for excavations, OSHA compliance officers will perform more than 1,000 trench inspections nationwide where they may stop by, and inspect, any excavation site during their daily duties.
“The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is calling on all employers engaged in trenching and excavation activities to act immediately to ensure that required protections are fully in place every single time their employees step down into or work near a trench,” said Assistant Secretary for Occupational Health and Safety Doug Parker. “In a matter of seconds, workers can be crushed and buried under thousands of pounds of soil and rocks in an unsafe trench. The alarming increase in the number of workers needlessly dying and suffering serious injuries in trenching incidents must be stopped.”
“Every one of these tragedies could have been prevented had employers complied with OSHA standards,” Parker continued. “There simply is no excuse for ignoring safety requirements to prevent trench collapses and cave-ins, and leaving families, friends, and co-workers to grieve when the solutions are so well-understood.”
A recent incident in central Texas highlights the dangers of trenching and an impetus for OSHA’s action. On June 28, 2022, two workers, aged 20 and 39, suffered fatal injuries in Jarrell, Texas, when the unprotected trench more than 20 feet deep collapsed upon them as they worked. Trench shields, which could have saved their lives, sat unused beside the excavation.
Trenching and excavation operations require protective systems and inspections before workers can enter. When employers fail to install trench protection systems or adequately inspect the trench, workers are exposed to serious hazards, including the risk of being buried under thousands of pounds of soil. By some estimates, a cubic yard of soil can weigh as much as 3,000 pounds, equal to that of a compact car.
States that operate their own Occupational Safety and Health plan have similar emphasis programs in place, and OSHA also encourages those states to consider additional measures, including criminal referrals for federal or state prosecution for trenching-related incidents.
Trenching standards require protective systems on trenches deeper than 5 feet and soil and other materials kept at least 2 feet from the edge of a trench. Additionally, trenches must be inspected by a knowledgeable person, be free of standing water and atmospheric hazards and have a safe means of entering and exiting prior to allowing a worker to enter.
“OSHA stands ready to assist any employer who needs help to comply with our trenching and excavation requirements,” Parker added. “We will conduct outreach programs, including safety summits, in all of our 10 regions to help ensure any employer who wants assistance gets it. The stakes are too important.”
OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Program, a free and confidential health and safety consulting program for small- and medium-sized businesses, will assist employers in developing strategic approaches for addressing trench-related illnesses and injuries in workplaces.
The agency also urges workers to contact their local OSHA or state plan office, or call 800-321-OSHA, if their employer requires working in or beside trenches that are not sloped, shored, or shielded and are five or more feet in depth.
OSHA’s trenching and excavation webpage provides additional information on trenching hazards and solutions, including a safety video.
Estimating Cost in Construction
The goal is clear, win the bid. The road toward this goal is full of twists and turns and may include a detour or two and it begins with an estimate. As a construction cost estimator, the ability to pivot and adjust to unexpected changes is a necessary skill.
What Is It & How Do You Calculate It
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What Is It & How Do You Calculate It 🚧
The goal is clear, win the bid. The road toward this goal is full of twists and turns and may include a detour or two and it begins with an estimate. As a construction cost estimator, the ability to pivot and adjust to unexpected changes is a necessary skill.
Regardless of how much effort you put into studying the possible outcomes, it may still rain on your parade if there is a shift in the forecast. And, when you’re talking about projects with dollar amounts in the millions along with tons of resources and jobs on the line, the pressure mounts quickly to deliver cost estimates that are pretty close to perfect.
So where do you start and how do you ensure your takeoffs and estimates are complete, precise, and see beyond the scope of the project to avoid unwanted surprises? Understanding the elements of cost estimating is the first step.
What is Construction Cost Estimating?
Construction cost estimating is a comprehensive calculation to determine the total budget needed to complete a project. As important as any other phase, your preconstruction estimate directly affects the goal to make money at the end. But there are no shortcuts to a profitable endgame. The total scope of the project must be factored into the estimate and mistakes can be costly even after construction is complete.
Many decisions must be made, and an accurate estimate is the starting line to delivering your project on time and on budget. It is worth the time and resources to ensure the highest profit is earned on your next construction project. If you become familiar with the basic structure behind cost estimating and back it up with an estimation software to do the heavy lifting, the quicker you can get to submitting bids and turning profits.
Types of Cost Estimates
Cost estimates are broken down into levels to ensure accuracy at every phase of the project. The different types of estimates include:
Preliminary – At the start of the process this estimate purely serves as a rough idea of the cost based on limited information.
Plinth Area – Covers the external dimensions of the structure and includes factors like the foundation type, roof construction, materials, and finishes.
Cube Rate – Covers the total volume of the building and is normally the strategy used when calculating estimates for multistory structures.
Elemental – With the use of drawings and specifications, this estimate paints a more accurate view of the total cost down to the structural frames, floor finishes, and more.
Detailed Estimate – A detailed estimate is exactly how it sounds. Every detail and stage should be drawn up to get the most comprehensive cost estimate possible. Put together an itemized list of costs divided by trade with accurate estimates for all labor, materials, equipment, etc.
How Do You Calculate Construction Costs?
Once you have the big picture overview, it’s time to gather every small detail and make some calculations. This is where you start punching numbers and by collecting these elements of information:
Direct Costs – Cost of materials, labor, and equipment
Indirect Costs – Cost of utilities, legal fees, permits, etc.
Labor Costs – Cost of paying your team including wages, taxes, and overtime
Subcontractor Costs – Cost of work contracted out including labor, materials, and equipment
Common Cost Estimation Problems
Issues with your cost estimate are bound to happen, but you can catch common problems before they occur, including:
Not Reviewing Your Work – Something as simple as taking your time and double-checking your work could spell big problems for your bid and your bottom line. Do not let this simple, but critical step cause you to lose time and most importantly, a bid.
Staying Up on Material & Supply Costs – Since the pandemic, the price of everything has seen a spike and the impact has made your job of estimating more difficult.
Labor Costs - While looking at the cost of materials, you should never underestimate the cost of labor. Prepare to pay a higher salary for workers with more experience. Estimate labor costs based on how many man-hours it will take to perform a task.
These obstacles are just a handful of what you may face as you navigate the steps toward a final estimate.
Conclusion
It is true that cost estimating your construction project will have several moving parts. All of which must be precise and cross-referenced to ensure total accuracy. Don’t let the seemingly heavy-lift keep you from your goal. Remember to think through each stage of the project and calculate the obvious as well as the not-so-obvious.