Fatalities from trench collapses continue to occur despite Occupational Safety and Health Admin-istration (OSHA) standards that specify sloping and benching, shoring, and trench boxes or shielding to reduce excavation hazards. Such an incident took place last December in the Town of Somers, Wis.Juan Oviedo, 52, was 25 feet down laying sewer pipe when the mud caved in below his trench box. Oviedo was submerged up to his neck. Two area rescue teams using vacuum trucks worked for two hours to free him to about the chest before the earth collapsed again, burying him.Recovery attempts were hampered by groundwater and mud
