This photo shows several OSHA violations pointed out by Basic Training writers Jim Anderson and David Gustafson. Among them, the excavation is not properly sloped and requires the use of a trench box; the escape ladder is more than 3 feet from the worker in the hole; and spoils are placed too close to the excavation. The photo has been altered so the workers cannot be identified.
Recently we were shown a photo of an installation in progress, and one of the workers was standing in an excavated trench where the top of the trench with vertical sidewalls was well over his head. An excavator was continuing to dig the trench. The worker was wearing the required...
