Twenty-three workers were killed and 12 others injured in trench collapses in 2016 – an alarming increase from the previous year. "There is no excuse,” said Dr. David Michaels, OSHA assistant secretary.

"These fatalities are completely preventable by complying with OSHA standards that every construction contractor should know."

Among the victims was a 33-year-old employee, crushed to death this summer as he dug a 12-foot trench for a plumbing company out of Ohio. An OSHA investigation found that they failed to protect its workers from the dangers of trench collapses. The company was issued two willful and two serious violations, with proposed penalties of $274,359.

OSHA's trenching standards require protective systems on trenches deeper than 5 feet, with soil and other materials kept at least two feet from the edge of trench.

OSHA has a national emphasis program on trenching and excavations with the goal of increasing hazard awareness and employer compliance with safety standards. For more information, read the news release.
Source: OSHA QuickTakes December 1, 2016, Volume 15, Issue 26

Comments from Dennis O'Connell, Roco Director of Training & Chief Instructor

In the above OSHA Newsletter, they highlight this growing problem. Besides the loss of human life, the “SERIOUS” and “WILLFUL” violations paragraph should get you asking, “Are we doing what we should be for trenching in our facility?” 

The new OSHA statistics show in 2016, we have two people a month dying in trenches, which is double the amounts for 2014 & 2015. Why, is the soil getting more dangerous? I can only speak to what I have seen in trends in industry that may be contributing to this rise. In previous articles, I have discussed the subject of trench and trench rescue and some of the following concerns:

• We are relying heavily on subcontractors to do trench work in our facilities.

• Entry Supervisors are not properly trained as Trench Competent Persons and are assuming the contractor is taking all necessary precautions.

• Our Confined Space Entry Supervisors are signing off on trenches as Confined Spaces and not as trenches.

• Rescue - most locations have not trained or equipped their rescue team to handle a possible trench rescue situation even though trench work is a common daily occurrence in most refineries and large municipalities.

• Trench rescue entities are far and few between. Most municipalities are ill equipped to handle trench collapse rescue.

 

Give us a call for a private Roco Trench Rescue training course at your facility or at the Roco Training Center. Or, register for Roco's open enrollment Trench Rescue course online.

Here's a quick slideshow of some of the action.

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Comments From This Year's Attendees

"Great time…always learn something…best money spent on training."

"I learned more during Challenge than any other training scenarios combined."

"Challenge is a good method to determine how well your team is prepared."

"You train at your facility all year, but if not tested you don’t know where your skills stand. Rescue Challenge is a good test."

"Great learning and team building experience."

"Rescue Challenge is some of the most real life, hands on training."

"Challenge pushes you beyond limits and out of your comfort zone."
 

Motiva-Norco, LA

Par Hawaii Refining-Kapolei, HI

CHS MCPherson Refinery-McPherson, KS

Roco Rescue Challenge Evaluators

Teams also scheduled but unable to attend this year and sadly missed were:

Motiva-Convent, LA
Lion Oil-El Dorado, AR
Shell-Geismar, LA

*For more Rescue Challenge photos visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RocoRescue/

Our sincere thanks to Bud and Catherine at Skedco, Inc. for donating new Skeds with Cobra buckles to our Roco Flood Relief Fund. These Skeds will be sold at the very special price of $500 with 100% of the proceeds going to assist Roco team members who have lost their homes in recent flooding.

Normally selling for $759 each – our FIRST 10 callers will receive this special price of only $500 for a new Sked System with Cobra buckles. You can support our Roco Flood Relief Fund and get a great new Sked for only $500 thanks to this generous donation from Skedco. Again, it’s for call-in orders only– first come, first served! So call now 800-647-7626 and ask for Lisha or Teresa!

First of all, we would like to thank all of you for your calls, thoughts and prayers during this time of historic flooding in the Baton Rouge region. While so many of our Roco employees and their families have been affected, including some who have lost everything, we are very thankful to report that all are safe. Some estimates show that up to 60,000+ homes received water damage [number updated]. 

Fortunately, our offices and the Roco Training Center were not flooded, so all classes – including Rescue Challenge – are proceeding as planned. It is very important, however, that hotel rooms be confirmed (and re-confirmed) as quickly as possible as they will be filling rapidly with recovery workers. Should you have any issues, please call the Roco office (800-647-7626) as soon as possible.

As we continue to get back to a normal operational status, we appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers during this time as many have lost so much. And, once again, we are reminded that we get to work with the best people on earth – emergency responders. Local responders have worked tirelessly, and now volunteer to help each other with clean up. They have truly been amazing; and, as always, we are very grateful for their service!

Kay G. & the Roco Staff

P.S. Because so many have asked how they can help Roco personnel, we have created a "GoFundMe" account. If you wish to participate, please click the link shown below. Please note that all funds will be distributed to Roco personnel to assist in the recovery and rebuilding process. Thank you so much to everyone who has offered to help! https://www.gofundme.com/2kmgkwfr

“Out of the ashes of the WTC formed a team of first responders who now volunteer their experience and expertise responding to disaster-stricken communities, and build housing for wounded returning veterans who continue the fight that began on September 11, 2001.”

A very special THANKS to HEART 9/11 for assisting Roco personnel and others following historic flooding in the Baton Rouge area. This group of first responders – FDNY, NYPD, PAPD and the NYC Building Trades – bonded in the aftermath of 9/11 to honor the sacrifices of brave colleagues and family members, to utilize their experience and training in service to others and to bring a message of hope to communities affected by disaster. You can support the efforts of HEART 9/11 (Healing Emergency Aid Response Team) by visiting their website at http://heart911.org/

Top Photo Source: Patrick Dennis / The Advocate via AP

It is with great honor and pride that we announce our continued recognition as an OSHA Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star Worksite company. Three years ago, we first reached this achievement, which requires an on-going safety emphasis and improvement process. To our knowledge, we are the first rescue training, equipment, and service company in the nation to receive this prestigious recognition. It is certainly a testament to everyone’s continued hard work and safety consciousness that we are once again honored with this elite Star status.

The three tiered voluntary program (Demonstration, Merit, and Star) is based on our safety history, safety program and management, as well as the palpable pulse of our safety culture. The OSHA onsite audit team unanimously commented that it was quite obvious that all Roco employees they encountered, from junior staff on up to our company president, believe and practice our company motto “There’s a Safe Way, and a Safer Way.”

Continued safety improvement is one of the cornerstones of the VPP award consideration, and we have reaped the benefits of this very requirement. With our growth and diversity of operations we have experienced over the past few years, one thing we cannot compromise is the safety of our employees and our customers. The challenge of demonstrating continuous improvement has been a valuable guide for us as we grow, and that very challenge has provided a clear path to continued success in our safety efforts.

We take safety very seriously at Roco, and given the nature of our business, it is important to have a means to measure our success. Receiving VPP Star status once again is one measure that tells us we are doing things the right way, the safer way.

The Roco Training Center - Baton Rouge, LA