Arizona Construction Accident Lawyer Blog

Most Arizona construction accidents are easily preventable if government safety regulations are followed. These procedures are in place in order to prevent tragic construction site accidents like trench collapses, which are very often fatal to construction workers. A trench collapse is a classic example of a construction site accident that can be avoided by taking required safety precautions and by following federal safety procedures, including securing the work area.

A recent news report details a deadly construction accident where a worker suffocated to death in a trench collapse incident. Officials say the amount of dirt that fell on top of this worker was equivalent to a dump truck full of dirt. He died of compression asphyxia – death by suffocation. It took crews two and a half hours to dig the man out. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating this incident. The construction company could possibly face hefty fines if any violations are discovered.

In Arizona and in many other states, there are very specific industry and safety standards specifying the width and depth of excavations. These safety standards exist to prevent tragedies like this one. When a trench is dug, federal laws also require a foreperson to be physically present on the site to ensure that they adhere to these important safety standards. In cases where a construction worker is injured as a result of someone else's negligence, he may be entitled to additional damages.