Arizona Construction Accident Lawyer Blog

Trench collapse accidents in Arizona or cave-ins are a common occurrence at construction sites. Almost always, when a trench collapses or caves in, someone gets killed. Workers who die in such incidents are usually asphyxiated by the dirt that falls on them. The sad fact is that these tragedies can be prevented by following safety procedures outlined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

A recent article in The Oklahoman reports that two workers were killed while digging a septic tank. The walls of the trench that they were digging collapsed and the workers fell in. The area remained unsafe as construction crew and emergency workers attempted to recover their bodies. In this case, it took emergency workers and the construction crew several hours to recover the bodies of the two deceased workers. The area where the trench collapsed was described as extremely unstable. OSHA officials are investigating this incident.

When it comes to trench cave-in cases, it is important to look into how such accidents occurred in the first place. For instance, was the trench shored up properly? Did the construction company secure the necessary permits for the excavation? Was there a foreman or a supervisor assigned to the project to monitor changing soil and weather conditions? Did the foreman or the supervisor make sure that no large vehicles were allowed near the trench or the excavation? If the trench collapse was caused by negligence or failure to adhere to safety procedures, the victims or their families can file a personal injury or wrongful death claim against negligent parties.