Ten feet underground in an unshored trench is not cool when your customer is the editor of an occupational health and safety magazine

If You See Something, Say Something

May 18, 2015
If you see something, say something when workers' lives are at stake and death or serious injury is a real possibility.

I’m working from home today due to a busted sewer line on the city’s property. The good news is that it is the city’s problem and it will be repaired at no cost to me. The bad news is that it’s a busted sewer line and it was discovered when my basement flooded with toxic waste.

The contractors who were sent out to dig up the line brought heavy equipment, but because of the size of the treelawn (about five feet deep and 40 feet wide) and the close proximity of the gas line, most of the digging has been done by hand. In an unsupported, 10-foot-deep trench.

I didn’t realize it was unsupported at first. They unloaded a bunch of lumber that only could be used for supporting the walls of the trench. And it’s been in a pile in my driveway ever since.

The supervisor came out to check on the crew. I met him outside and stood next to him as he watched them dig. He casually said to them, “You should support the walls of that trench. They’re sand.”

And they ignored him and he didn’t insist.

As a bystander, and someone who is functionally knowledgeable about trenching hazards, I know that this is a dangerous situation. The soil is sandy and collapsing back into the hole as they dig.

As I weighed my desire to keep them safe against my desire for them to continue working so that my sewer is repaired as quickly as possible, I realized – first hand – how difficult it is to place safety over production.

But really, when lives are at stake, do we have a choice?

I finally was forced to pull the “I’m calling OSHA if you don’t get out of that trench and shore it up” card when I realized the supervisor had left and one of the workers was 10 feet down in the unshored hole.

Let’s just say I’m not their favorite person right now. And that’s okay. I explained why I was concerned. And I asked them if they wanted to go home tonight or go to the hospital or worse, the morgue. I told them that knowing what I know, I couldn’t allow them to continue working unsafely.

If you see something, say something always has been my motto. And maybe the next time, when these guys are on another job, they’ll think about what I told them and decide to work safely.

About the Author

Sandy Smith Blog | Content Director

Sandy Smith is content director of EHS Today. She has been writing about occupational safety and health and environmental issues since 1990. She has been interviewed about occupational safety and health for national business publications,documentaries and television programs, has served as a panelist on roundtables, has provided the keynote address for occupational safety and health conferences and has won national and international awards for her articles.

Sponsored Recommendations

10 Facts About the State of Workplace Safety in the U.S.

July 12, 2024
Workplace safety in the U.S. has improved over the past 50 years, but progress has recently stalled. This report from the AFL-CIO highlights key challenges.

Free Webinar: ISO 45001 – A Commitment to Occupational Health, Safety & Personal Wellness

May 30, 2024
Secure a safer and more productive workplace using proven Management Systems ISO 45001 and ISO 45003.

ISO 45003 – Psychological Health and Safety at Work

May 30, 2024
ISO 45003 offers a comprehensive framework to expand your existing occupational health and safety program, helping you mitigate psychosocial risks and promote overall employee...

Case Study: Improve TRIR from 4+ to 1 with EHS Solution and Safety Training

May 29, 2024
Safety training and EHS solutions improve TRIR for Complete Mechanical Services, leading to increased business. Moving incidents, training, and other EHS procedures into the digital...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!