Three unrelated trench collapses happened at three different construction sites across Southeast Michigan within a week, with one being deadly.
Two of the trench collapses happened in Oakland County, and one was in Livingston County.
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MIOSHA is investigating all three trench collapses.
Oxford Township trench collapse
Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and the Oxford Fire Department responded to a report of a worker trapped at around 9:30 a.m. on June 30 at the 3900 block of Barber Road.
Investigators said workers were installing field tile as part of a septic system when the man entered the trench to glue pipe together. While the man was inside, a trench wall collapsed, burying him beneath the soil.
First responders successfully extricated the worker, a 35-year-old Ira Township man, and he was sent to a local hospital for further evaluation. He is expected to recover.
Orion Township trench collapse
At around 9:41 a.m. on July 1, deputies from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of Squirrel Road and Silverbell Road for a report of a worker trapped in a trench collapse.
According to the sheriff’s office, a subcontractor excavation company was excavating for the installation of a sanitary sewer within the new residential development. During the excavation, a 25-year-old worker from Clarkston was inside a trench box when the surrounding ground gave way, trapping him below the waist.
The man was freed by first responders and was taken to a local hospital. He is expected to be okay.
Handy Township trench collapse
According to the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched around 2:30 p.m. on July 1 to a construction site near Grand River Avenue and Nicholson Road in Handy Township for a reported industrial accident.
MIOSHA said workers were installing underground tanks at the site when the trench collapsed, trapping the 30-year-old worker inside.
Deputies said the man was trapped for a short period of time before deputies and other workers were able to remove him from the trench.
Emergency crews were said to have attempted life-saving measures, but the worker died from his injuries at the scene.
Officials have not released the victim’s name or the company involved.
The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office first reported the worker was 23 years old. However, MIOSHA reported the worker was 30 years old.