United Rentals Announces Trench Safety Training Series

United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE: URI) today announced a series of online trench safety educational events in support of the 2022 Trench Safety Stand Down, which takes place June 20-24. The free training sessions will promote awareness of the hazards in trench and excavation work, and increase understanding of work practices that can help jobsites be safe and productive.

Trench Safety Stand Down is a nationwide initiative to reinforce the importance of working safely in and around trenches and excavations. Employers are encouraged to review with employees the hazards associated with trench and excavation work, the regulations around them and work practices to help keep themselves and co-workers safe.

“Working in trenches and other excavations is one of construction’s most dangerous activities, but there are safety precautions and regulations in place to make most trench accidents preventable,” said Blake Smith, Sales and Marketing Director, Trench Safety Region at United Rentals. “Creating a strong culture of trench and excavation safety not only mitigates risk it also can improve worksite productivity. Companies that invest in educating workers on safe excavation practices find their projects get done more efficiently and safely.”

2022 Trench Safety Stand Down Training Schedule

Anyone can attend these online educational sessions. To register, please go to the Trench Safety Stand Down Week webpage. Here are the training session topics and schedule:

The Buried Truth Uncovered: A Survivor’s Story. During this session, attendees will hear from a trench collapse survivor as he shares his terrifying experience of being buried alive. Former construction worker and recognized safety awareness expert, Eric Giguere will speak about his death-defying work-related accident that changed his life, as well his personal commitment to safety awareness. Offered: June 20 at 7 a.m. and June 22 at 2:00 p.m. CDT.

Tabulated Data - What It Is and Why It Is Important. Virtually everything used in the world of construction has a capacity. Every manufacturer will provide details on what their equipment will do. If one were to use equipment beyond its rated capacity, failure can occur. Trench safety gear is no different. Bruce Magee of United Rentals will host this webinar to help attendees learn just what these specifications, recommendations and limitations of usage are for shoring and shielding equipment. This session will also go into what must happen when equipment needs to be used beyond its rated capacity. Offered: June 21 at 7 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. CDT.

Who’s in Charge? This webinar, hosted by Joe Wise of United Rentals, will focus on what regulatory agencies typically look for when reviewing a competent person/worker, who is in charge of overseeing all aspects of an excavation. As the session breaks down this important role, it will look at competent person/worker responsibilities and duties specific to excavation and trench projects. In addition, the webinar will review the qualifications and training requirements to consider when designating, and also further developing, a competent person. Offered: June 23 at 7:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. CDT.

Live Trench Training in San Antonio

United Rentals Trench Safety will participate in a Live Trench Training event on June 22 in San Antonio, organized by the San Antonio Chapter of the National Utility Contractors Association (NCUA). United Rentals experts will be available at an interactive station to discuss trench safety systems and best practices. Eric Giguere will be the featured speaker at the event.

United Rentals Trench Safety Solutions

United Rentals Trench Safety provides the worksite the most efficient path to safety through underground solutions and safety training. With more than 92 trench safety locations and the largest fleet of shoring and underground excavation rental equipment in North America, United Rentals provides customers customized, cost-effective trench safety and excavation rental solutions. It supplies OSHA-compliant trench protective systems including shoring, shielding, lasers and optical instruments, and more. United Rentals services help companies in pre-bid analysis on protective system solutions, on-site consultation and engineering designs that can be applied successfully on a project.

About United Rentals

United Rentals, Inc. is the largest equipment rental company in the world. The company has an integrated network of 1,301 rental locations in North America, 13 in Europe, 28 in Australia and 18 in New Zealand. In North America, the company operates in 49 states and every Canadian province. The company’s approximately 20,850 employees serve construction and industrial customers, utilities, municipalities, homeowners and others. The company offers approximately 4,300 classes of equipment for rent with a total original cost of $15.97 billion. United Rentals is a member of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, the Barron’s 400 Index and the Russell 3000 Index® and is headquartered in Stamford, Conn. Additional information about United Rentals is available at unitedrentals.com.