Those who are asked to work on trenching or excavation sites in New Jersey or elsewhere face many dangers. Cave-ins are the most common type of accident, and they lead to dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries each year. To stay safe on the job, it is important to never enter a trench that is not protected. Trenches that are more than 5 feet deep must have a protective system unless it is cut into stable rock.
The protective system must be designed or signed off on by a registered professional engineer. A variety of systems may be used including sloping or shoring. Sloping is the practice of cutting back a trench wall at an angle away from the excavation work. Shoring involves installing supports to prevent soil from moving or creating a cave in.
An excavation or trench site must be inspected by a competent person each day. This person will examine the site to ensure that there were no changes from the previous day that could create dangerous conditions for workers. If any changes have occurred, the person who does the inspection must have the authority to fix dangerous situations in a timely manner.
A worker who is hurt through the course of his or her employment may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits are paid by an insurance company that may review a case prior to deciding whether to approve or deny a claim. If a claim is denied, an injured worker may wish to seek relief with the help of a workplace injury accident attorney. Legal counsel may review both the facts surrounding the injury as well as the facts surrounding the denial.
