Even with rules in place, safety protocol may not always be followed carefully enough, resulting in trench accidents. Some of the main causes of soil slides or cave-in trench accidents are:
Failure to properly inspect the trench and analyze the soil conditions
Weather changes, altering ground conditions
Lack of protective system to prevent slides or cave-ins
Placement of excavated soil too close to the edge of the trench
While most trench accidents and fatalities are caused by collapses or cave-ins, there are other instances that pose a threat of injury to trench workers. Some of these are:
Persons or equipment falling into the trench
Equipment malfunction or explosions
Contact with electrical wires or inhalation of toxic fumes