Existing safety protocols imposed by OSHA are supposed to reduce the accidents; however there are high risk factors associated with trench excavations. The thesis explains thereasons for existence of hazards and injuries due to the lack of a predictive and preventiveapplication in the eld of trench excavation. The research aims to explore trench cave-inpatterns and understand how to prevent accidents by implementing nite element method.Trench cave-ins are simulated and the patterns of failure are seen. A new protocol for trenchexcavation is proposed and a proof of concept using systems dynamics approach is also developed to evaluate the impact of implementing a new safety program within a constructioncompany.
Read
