National Utility Contractors Association Declares June 2024 as Trench Safety Month

National Utility Contractors Association Declares June 2024 as Trench Safety Month

The national campaign aims to reduce trench-related fatalities and injuries.

  • By Robert Yaniz Jr.
  • Jun 14, 2024

The National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) has designated June 2024 as "Trench Safety Month," emphasizing the importance of safety in trench and excavation work. Highlighting this initiative is the annual Trench Safety Stand Down (TSSD) Week, scheduled for June 17-21, which aims to promote safety training across the utility construction industry.

According to a recent release, TSSD Week has been part of NUCA's safety efforts since 2016. Sponsored by National Trench Safety, Sunstate Equipment Co./Trench Safety Rentals and United Rentals, this year's event will engage workers across hundreds of job sites nationwide in safety training, educational seminars and live trench rescue demonstrations.

Supported by OSHA and the Trenching and Excavation Safety Taskforce (TEST), this event asserts that employee training and reinforcement through safety initiatives such as TSSD Week are essential to reducing the risks affecting workers. With a recent increase in utility projects, NUCA stresses the heightened need for safety training, especially among new workers.

The 2023 TSSD saw over 25,800 industry employees and first responders participate across more than 2,480 job sites. NUCA—which celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2024—represents over 2,000 U.S. utility and excavation contractors, manufacturers and suppliers. For more on its initiatives throughout Trench Safety Stand Down Week, visit NUCA’s website.

About the Author

Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor of Occupational Health & Safety.

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