Last week, three trench safety incidents occurred here in Michigan. As you can imagine, those incidents generated some negative attention for our industry.
Here at MITA, we know those incidents are not representative of the work our members perform every day. MITA has had the privilege of visiting jobsites across the state and regularly sees excavations that are planned properly, protected correctly, and completed by crews who genuinely care about sending everyone home safely at the end of the day.
Unfortunately, those are the jobsites the public rarely gets to see.
We’d like to change that.
In the coming weeks, MITA will be highlighting safe excavations on our social media pages and in future publications. The goal is simple—to showcase the professionalism of our members and remind everyone that safe excavation practices are alive and well throughout Michigan’s underground construction industry.
If you have a jobsite you’re proud of, we’d love to see it.
We’re looking for photos that highlight good trench safety practices, such as:
We’re looking for photos that highlight good trench safety practices, such as:
– Proper sloping, benching, or trench protection systems.
– Trench boxes or shielding being used correctly.
– Safe access and egress with ladders extending at least 3 feet above the landing.
– Spoil piles and equipment kept back from the edge of the excavation.
– Employees wearing the proper PPE.
– Clean, organized jobsites with crews working safely.
– Good utility damage prevention practices and clearly marked underground facilities.
Don’t have someone available to take photos? No problem. Matt Moody and Greg Brooks would be more than happy to stop by your project and take pictures for you. We spend a lot of time visiting jobsites already and welcome the opportunity to showcase the great work your crew is doing.
Before any photos are shared publicly, MITA will personally review each one to ensure it reflects MIOSHA-compliant work practices. If we notice something that could be improved, we will simply reach out to you privately. The goal isn’t to criticize anyone—it’s to make sure we’re putting our best foot forward as an industry.
If you’d like your project featured, please send your photos to gregbrooks@thinkmita.org or mattmoody@thinkmita.org, or simply reach out if you’d like Matt or Greg to stop by your jobsite.
Our industry has an incredible safety story to tell. Let’s make sure people see the thousands of excavations that are done the right way—not just the few that make the news.
Thank you for everything you do to protect your crews and represent our industry with professionalism every single day.
