The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a new report based on a review of fatalities associated with trench collapses and other excavation hazards. The report is based on 1992-2001 data, the most recent available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and NIOSH.

The analysis indicated that 76 percent of the deaths were caused by cave-ins and 47 percent occurred among employees of companies with 10 or fewer workers. CDC concluded that employers can reduce the risk for future deaths by adhering to OSHA standards and by using education and training resources offered by NIOSH, OSHA, and labor and trade groups.

During the period studied, federal data identified 542 fatalities associated with trenching and excavation. Totals ranged from a low of 44 in 1993 to a high of 65 in 1996, and averaged 54 deaths per year. The average age of those killed was approximately 38 years. The industries most frequently reporting fatalities were those described as involved in "excavation work," followed by "water, sewer, pipeline, and communications and power-line construction."

Most of the deaths occurred among construction laborers. The CDC report concludes that complying with OSHA trenching and excavating standards, which were revised in 1989, can reduce the risk. To assist further, NIOSH is partnering with OSHA, labor and trade organizations, insurers, and underground utility contractors to develop education and training options. These will include a CD-ROM training module, a NIOSH alert in English and Spanish, and a resource clearinghouse. For more information, visit http://www.cdc.gov