Trench Rescue Awareness
Construction · Ver en español
Talking points
- If a trench collapses with a worker inside, the natural instinct is to jump in and start digging. Do not do this. A secondary collapse can bury the rescuer, doubling the emergency.
- Call 911 immediately. Trench rescue requires trained technical rescue teams with shoring equipment, air monitoring, and medical support — skills and equipment most crews do not have.
- While waiting for rescue, prevent further collapse by keeping people and equipment away from the trench edges. Vibration from nearby equipment can trigger additional soil movement.
- If the victim's head is above the soil, talk to them, keep them calm, and protect their airway from loose soil. Do not attempt to pull them out — the weight of soil on the body can cause crush syndrome if pressure is released suddenly.
- The best trench rescue is the one that never happens. Proper protective systems, competent person inspections, and a culture of stopping work when conditions change prevent nearly every trench fatality.
Ask the crew
If a trench collapsed right now, does everyone know to call 911 first — and not to enter the trench to attempt rescue?
Standards this talk is built on
A toolbox talk is a short safety briefing. It supports the training a standard requires; it does not replace it.
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Sign-in sheet
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| Name | Signature | Date |
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