OSHA to Focus Jobsite Inspections on Trenches After Rise in Deaths
OSHA late last week said that its inspectors and enforcement staff will “consider every available tool at the agency’s disposal” – including criminal referrals – to help stem a dramatic spike in deaths from trenching and excavation accidents.
In the first half of this year, 22 workers have died in trenching accidents compared to just 15 in the entire year 2021.
OSHA said that it will place additional emphasis on 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.
Under an existing emphasis program for trench safety standards, OSHA noted that its 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.
NAHB members need to be aware of this increased emphasis on trenching and excavation rules and standards and use NAHB, OSHA or National Utility Contractors Association (NCUA) resources to keep workers safe on the jobsite.
Trench collapses, or cave-ins, pose the greatest risk to workers’ lives while excavating. To prevent cave-ins, jobsites should use OSHA’s “Slope It. Shore It. Shield It.” method:
- SLOPE or bench trench walls
- SHORE trench walls with supports, or
- SHIELD trench walls with trench boxes
NAHB has a video toolbox talk builders can use to present to their workers and subcontractors, and additional resources in the NAHB Trenching and Excavation Toolkit.

Latest from NAHBNow
Oct 17, 2025
How Diverse Is the Construction Workforce?Diversifying the construction labor force remains a key priority amid persistent skilled labor shortages. The most notable trend has been the steady rise of Hispanic participation, according to the American Community Survey.
Oct 16, 2025
Are Today’s Building Codes Enough to Improve Home Resilience?In the face of rapidly increasing losses from natural disasters, many housing advocates are pushing for more stringent building codes to make homes more resilient to disaster. But is that the best path forward?
Latest Economic News
Oct 17, 2025
Better Growth, Larger Deficits: CBO Fiscal OutlookThe Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is a key nonpartisan score keeper that measures the effects of policy changes by the Federal Government. With several policy changes since January of this year, including the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), stricter immigration, and higher tariffs, the CBO updated its economic projections through 2028.
Oct 16, 2025
Amid Market Challenges, Builder Expectations Rise in OctoberEven as builders continue to grapple with market and macroeconomic uncertainty, sentiment levels posted a solid gain in October as future sales expectations surpassed the 50-point breakeven mark for the first time since last January.
Oct 15, 2025
Builders Stay Cautious as Single-Family Permits WeakenIn August, single-family permit activity softened, reflecting caution among developers amid persistent economic headwinds. This trend has been consistent for eight continuous months.