Alarming Rise in Trench-Related Fatalities Spurs US Department of Labor to Announce Enhanced Nationwide Enforcement, Additional Oversight

22 worker fatalities in trenching and excavation work in first half of 2022, which is more than all year of 2021, prompts the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to launch enhanced enforcement initiatives to protect workers from known industry hazards. OSHA  will perform more than 1,000 trench inspections nationwide, place additional emphasis on how agency officials evaluate penalties for trenching and excavation related incidents, and assist employers in developing strategic approaches for addressing trench-related illnesses and injuries in workplaces.