OSHA’s National Emphasis Program on Trenching and Excavation remains a high agency priority. NUCA, OSHA, NAXSA, TSSA and NAHB have teamed up for the 4th annual TSSD (Trenching Safety Stand Down) Week to educate workers on trenching hazards.
What is a Safety Stand Down?
A Safety Stand Down presents the opportunity for employers to talk directly to employees and others about safety. These Stand Downs will focus on trench and excavation hazards and reinforce the importance of using trench protective systems and protecting workers from trenching hazards.
How to Conduct a Safety Stand Down
Companies will conduct a Trench Safety Stand Down by taking a break to have a toolbox talk or another safety activity to draw attention to the specific hazards related to working in and around trenches and excavations. We ask that companies provide feedback about their Stand Down, such as when it was held, how many workers participated, how you shared information with employees.
NUCA will collect the information, publicize the overall total number of participants, and publish the names of the companies that held a Trench Safety Stand Down. You can find all the appropriate documentation in the TSSD Forms section on the NUCA website: www.nuca.com/tssd.
Recognition of Participation
NUCA will provide a Certificate of Participation which will be mailed to all participating companies by the end of July 2019. NUCA will publish the list of names of participating organizations on the NUCA website and in our printed publications. Submit TSSD Completion Forms (which can be filled out electronically) and any questions you may have to safety@nuca.com.
Stand Down Goals
The goal is to reach out to the many workers who work in and around trenches and excavations to provide them with information about current excavation requirements and safety procedures for working in trenches. By reaching as many workers as possible, we can reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries that occur each year in our industry, and make others, such as municipal and industry workers who are also exposed, aware of these serious hazards.
Who Can Participate?
Anyone who wants to prevent trenching and excavation hazards in the workplace can participate in the Stand Down. We encourage utility construction, residential, highway construction, plumbers, military, unions, associations, educational institutes, and safety equipment manufacturers to participate.
For more details and TSSD Materials, please visit Trench Safety Stand Down.
Additional Resources and Assistance Materials on Trench Safety:
- Trenching and Excavation webpage at OSHA.gov.
- Audio public service announcements recorded by U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta in English and Spanish.
- 45-second video from Secretary Acosta on 5 Things You Should Know to Stay Safe in a Trench.
- Working Safely in Trenches QuickCard in English and Spanish.
- Protect Workers in Trenches poster in English and Spanish.
Make sure to join us on the second Tuesday of each month for our monthly Safety Facts and Snacks. For more information on the schedule of events and registration,
visit Safety Facts and Snacks.
05/23/19
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