New OSHA Focus on Trenching

摘要

In the wake of a rise in fatal trenching cave-ins, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration has begun a targeted education and enforcement program to try to reverse the trend. The program, which began Oct. 1, updates OSHiVs 1985 National Emphasis Program on trenching safety and responds to what it calls "a recent spike" in such accidents. Loren Sweatt, deputy assistant labor secretary for occupational safety and health, said in a statement, "OSHA will concentrate the full force of enforcement and compliance assistance resources to help ensure that employers are addressing these serious hazards."