Participants: U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety
                      and Health Administration- Lubbock Area Office     

                      Damage Prevention Council of Texas
                      City of Lubbock Texas - Engineering Department              

Event Description: On May 23, 2023, the City of Lubbock presented the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Damage Prevention Council of Texas' with a proclamation to recognize May 23-24 as Deep in Lubbock Workshop 2023” days. Delivered by Mayor Tray Payne during the Digging Deep activities held at the Civic Center in Lubbock, the proclamation will raise awareness about trenching and excavation safety to different subcontractors, city employees and private companies.

The activities included instruction on how to work safely around trenches and excavations, and encouraged excavators and homeowners to dial 8-1-1 at least three business days in advance of an excavation project, including small projects such as planting a tree, installing a mailbox post, building a deck, or swimming pool or replacing a driveway, in order to avoid injury, protect the environment, prevent millions of dollars in damages and to remind excavators that three business days' notice is the law for safe digging.

Background: In February 2020, OSHA signed an alliance with the DPC to educate employers and employees in the 254 counties in Texas about trenching and excavation hazards.

Quote: Working in trenches and excavations is among the most dangerous construction operations and trench cave-ins pose a serious threat to workers, but the hazards are preventable,” said Area Director Elizabeth Linda Routh, in Lubbock.

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Media Contacts:

Juan J. Rodríguez, 972-850-4709, rodriguez.juan@dol.gov
Chauntra Rideaux, 972-850-4710, rideaux.chauntra.d@dol.gov

Release Number: 23-1083-DAL