TY  - JOUR
PY  - 1988//
TI  - Deaths from trench cave-in in the construction industry
JO  - Journal of Occupational Medicine
A1  - Baker, Susan Pardee
A1  - Smith, Graham
A1  - Suruda, A.
SP  - 552
EP  - 555
VL  - 30
IS  - 7
N2  - At least 70 US construction workers die each year in trench cave-ins, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards for work in trenches have been criticized as hard to understand and inadequate. This study examined 306 fatal cases, obtained mainly from OSHA investigations, from 1974 to 1986. Most of the deaths occurred in shallow trenches while digging sewer lines, and were caused by failing to shore or brace the walls of the trench. The risk of cave-in death was higher in young workers and those in small firms; only 12% of the deaths were in unionized companies. OSHA issued citations in 94% of the cases, with fines ranging up to $58,400; the average fine was $1,991 per death. Death due to cave-in is a significant risk for construction workers, and can be prevented by proper protective measures.
LA  - 
SN  - 0096-1736
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -