Workplace Safety can Lower your Workers Comp Costs
Per OSHA, any excavations deeper than 4 feet require bracing, such as trench boxes or stepping the excavation. Some contractors try to cut corners, and have the trench boxes on site, but to increase production and save time, they choose not to use them. More pipe can be laid without using a trench box, but the risk of injury is so much higher. Contractors workers comp claims can skyrocket because of this.
Without the use of a trench box, during excavation, the stability of the embankment is reduced due to the removal of the soil. Natural soils can weigh up to 140 pounds per cubic foot. If a man is standing in a 5 foot excavation and the wall collapses, that’s equal to approximately 700 pounds of soil and dirt falling onto the worker- from each side.
Currently OSHA has been frequenting job sites on a more regular basis. While OSHA is more likely to go to the high profile projects, if an accident happens on a residential job, they’ll be there too. A contractor we know was fined in the range of $4000-$5000 dollars for having workers in a trench that was deeper than 4 feet, without the use of a trench box.
Yes, an OSHA fine is definitely not good- not for your wallet and not for your business. Imagine facing an employee injury without the right workers compensation coverage.
To get a free workers compensation insurance quote, visit www.ezcontractorsinsurance.com
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