On a quiet afternoon in Sunbury, Ohio, a residential construction site on Millstone Drive turned into a rescue scene when two workers became trapped in a trench collapse – one buried up to the neck, the other to the waist. Emergency responders from the BST&G Fire District dug the workers out by hand, bucket by bucket, in a race against time.
Fortunately, the men survived. But this incident is a stark reminder of how quickly trenching work can turn dangerous – or even deadly.
What Happened?
- Two workers became trapped when the sides of a trench collapsed.
- Three people, including one of the trapped workers and two who tried to help, were hospitalized.
- OSHA was notified and has opened an investigation.
- Trench boxes were reported to be in use at the time, but the collapse still occurred.
While Williams and Sons Excavating – the subcontractor on the project – has no known OSHA violations, the general contractor, Pulte Homes, has a previous citation related to fall protection.
Why Trench Safety Can’t Be Optional
Trench collapses are one of the most preventable causes of injury and death in construction. According to OSHA, a cubic yard of soil can weigh as much as a car. Without proper shoring, shielding, or sloping, trenches can become fatal traps – even when trench boxes are in place but improperly used.
Key Trench Safety Tips:
✅ Always inspect trench protection systems before entry
✅ Never enter an unprotected trench deeper than 5 feet
✅ Ensure proper atmospheric testing for confined spaces
✅ Assign a competent person on-site for trench evaluations
✅ Use engineered systems for access/egress every 25 feet
Our Take: Prevention Begins Before You Dig
At JLN Safety, we help contractors across the Northeast identify and mitigate risks on worksites — before incidents like this occur. Our third-party trench safety inspections, confined space standby services, and training programs are designed to protect your workers and your project timelines.
“We don’t just inspect — we protect.”
Are Your Sites Compliant?
If your crew is working below grade, don’t wait for OSHA to show up after an incident. Contact JLN Safety today to schedule a trench and excavation safety audit or explore our on-site rescue standby options for high-risk work.
📞 Call us at 1-855-SAF-EJLN
📧 Email: info@jlnsafety.com
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