2025 Trench Safety Stand Down

Imagine if one cubic yard of dirt (about as much that fits in the bucket of a skid loader) fell on you. Believe it or not, that’s about the equivalent of a small car resting on your chest. That’s the example that Safety Director Dominic Pope is giving his crews during this year’s Trench Safety Stand Down.

National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA)’s 2025 Trench Safety Stand Down is being observed from June 16-20. The stand down is an opportunity for organizations to come together to discuss the hazards of trench and excavation work, as well as the importance of trench protective systems. Teams can work together to discuss specifically what they are and should do to protect workers from trenching hazards.

According to OSHA, a striking 39 worker deaths were reported in 2022, 15 in 2023, and 12 in 2024 (as of November 2024). There is a clear downward trend in the number of fatalities from trenching and excavation work in the construction industry.

“This is my message to the crews this week. We’re looking back to see how well we – both Gaines and the industry as a whole – are doing,” said Dominic. “Even with a downward trend, we won’t stop until those numbers are zero.”

Dominic isn’t the only one continuing an emphasis on trench and excavation safety. OSHA’s National Emphasis Program on Trenching and Excavation is a “zero tolerance” trenching and excavation inspection program. Because of the potential severity on workers’ lives if an incident were to occur, OSHA’s National Emphasis Program warrants increased enforcement on trenching and excavation work.

“Whether it’s because of the National Emphasis Program or stronger safety cultures, we are excavating safer industry-wide,” said Dominic. “We’re celebrating that as a team, growing our safety culture as a team, and going home safely as a team. That’s what we’re focused on during our stand downs.”

Gaines and Company is a full-service grading and excavation company with offices in Maryland and North Carolina. The organization has over 70 years of experience in underground utilities, grading and excavating, sediment and erosion controls, and road work. Gaines and Company delivers safe, reliable, turnkey site development services in Maryland, North Carolina, Washington D.C., Pennsylvania, and Delaware on time and within budget.