Trench collapses are devastatingly lethal. They can claim the lives of employees, coworkers, and friends in an instant, turning preventable accidents into tragedies. Every collapse is a stark reminder of how crucial it is to keep trench safety a priority, not just in policy but in practice.

To protect teams, all trenches must be safeguarded with proper protective systems, like sloping, shoring, or trench boxes. These aren’t just options - they’re essentials. No one should ever enter a trench that lacks these protective measures.

Training plays a critical role, too. Competent person training provides individuals with the knowledge to identify hazards and make sound safety decisions on the spot. Every job site should have clear, written excavation and trench safety rules that are well-known and consistently enforced.

The message is simple: do not risk lives. Prioritize safe trench practices every day to ensure that every employee goes home safe. Let’s work together to make these preventable accidents a thing of the past.