Excavation Safety News & Updates
What’s Happening Around the Country and in Florida
Across the country, challenges remain when it comes to excavation safety and compliance. Our research findings show that injuries and fatalities from trenching, for example, significantly dropped in 2024 due to increased training, outreach and 811 awareness.
“By mid-2025, OSHA had already reported 11 trench-related fatalities, prompting the agency to issue a nationwide safety alert and urge employers to act.”
But accidents were on the rise again in 2025. OSHA enforcement is focused on addressing ongoing excavation risks and penalties for noncompliance.
As Florida continues to lead the nation in construction activity, the state remains a high-volume, high-growth industry, but is also at high-risk. With rapid infrastructure expansion and more buried lines being placed, the risk for damage has reached a critical state. On top of that, risky behaviors continue to hinder progress.
Seventy-nine percent of all utility damage involves one common failure: not calling 811 before digging. Why is it happening? Research, surveys and other insights tell us that:
Contractors continue to place speed over safety.
Jobsite pressures continue to encourage safety shortcuts.
The “I’ll take the chance” and “I know where the lines are” mentality continues to cloud judgement calls.
Limited education and training continue to conflict with needed jobsite and 811 process experience.
All of these factors lead to one thing: damages. Damages that lead to project delays, liability exposure, OSHA concerns, community disruptions and even fatal accidents.
With 34,652 reported damages last year, Florida has the highest rates of utility strikes in the U.S. Think of it like this. Almost 100 times a day, an underground facility is struck.
Every dig carries risk. Not getting a locate ticket equates to a presumption of negligence. 811 is the most important first step in protecting your crew, schedule and business.
We urge our Florida excavator community to help turn the tide … to be a champion for safe digging … to do what’s right and ultimately avoid damages that can be costly to you, financially and reputationally.