Seeping Water Causes Cave-In

An unusual mishap occurred when the ground gave way outside of an excavation, burying and killing a worker.

The worker had just climbed out of the excavation, which was properly shored up to prevent it from collapsing. He was standing outside the excavation when the ground caved in, burying him.

The ground outside the excavation had been weakened by water seeping underground, possibly from a hydrant up the street or from a broken underground pipe. The crew working on the excavation had been required to pump water out of the excavation each morning before starting work.

Excavations are dangerous places. Expert advice is required to ensure safety when conditions change, such as the presence of groundwater on the site. While you may not work around excavations, chances are you encounter them in daily life – around street repair projects and home construction. Observe warning signs and barricades because the possibility of a cave-in is always there. And always communicate safety concerns to your supervisor and co-workers.