United Rentals Helps Contractors Advance Trench Safety Through Training

United Rentals Trained More Than 90,000 Workers in Trench Safety Operations Since Initial Trench Safety Stand Down in 2016

Trench and excavation work represent some of the most dangerous jobs in the construction industry. Maintaining up-to-date training on safety regulations and equipment solutions is essential to not only keeping employees safe but also leads to improved project productivity. United Rentals, Inc. provides dedicated resources that offer quality trench safety instruction, together with assistance outside the classroom including jobsite consultation, engineered designs and safety equipment.

The United Rentals Trench Safety Training Program has trained 56,968 workers in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Excavation standard 1926, Subpart P since the inaugural Trench Safety Stand Down week in 2016. The program is designed to help contractors comply with OSHA requirements for excavation and trenching operations to promote safe work practices that can protect workers from cave-ins and other hazards.

Overall, United Rentals Trench Safety has trained more than 90,000 workers across North America in trench safety operations from 2016 to 2019. Other training delivered includes safety training for confined space, traffic control flagger, and OSHA 10-hour and 30-hour construction training.

“As projects become more complex, safety in excavations and trenches requires an effective training program that is adopted by employees at every level. Appropriate trench protection solutions and safety training are the difference between a safe, productive worksite and putting a project a risk,” said Blake Smith, Sales and Marketing Director, United Rentals. “In addition to regular training, contractors should participate in the annual Trench Safety Stand Down, which provides an excellent opportunity to discuss safety with workers, including the hazards of working in and around trenches and excavations.”

The 2019 Trench Safety Stand Down takes place June 17-21. United Rentals is organizing Stand Down events across the United States ranging from tailgate talks at jobsites and lunch-and-learns to forums featuring independent trench safety authorities, OSHA officials and United Rentals experts. Last year, more than 10,000 people attended United Rentals Trench Safety Stand Down events.

United Rentals Trench Safety Training
United Rentals is North America’s largest provider of trench safety training programs. Its team of qualified trainers have real trench experience and know the local, state, provincial and federal regulatory issues that affect jobsites. Organizations can choose from professional training courses – offered online, onsite or at local United Rentals store locations – including excavation for competent person instruction, confined space entry training, safety and fall protection, site-specific regulatory compliance and operator certifications for equipment. The training is delivered specific to roles from foreman and superintendent to safety director and business owner, and more. Training is offered in English, French and Spanish.

The trench safety competent person training is part of United Rentals’ United Academy, which has a curriculum of over 360 courses that include safety and fall protection, site-specific regulatory compliance, and operator certifications for equipment such as aerial lifts, loaders, backhoes, forklifts and cranes.

United Rentals Trench Safety Solutions
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 rental solutions for their specific excavation needs. It supplies OSHA-complianttrench 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.

“United Rentals provides a diverse fleet of trench protection solutions that can be designed specific to jobsites using a dedicated engineering department. We help contractors create a safety culture that not only provides safe workplaces, but also enables workers to be productive in delivering quality results on schedule and budget,” said Smith.

About United Rentals
United Rentals, Inc. is the largest equipment rental company in the world. The company has an integrated network of 1,165 rental locations in North America and 11 in Europe. In North America, the company operates in 49 states and every Canadian province. The company’s approximately 18,600 employees serve construction and industrial customers, utilities, municipalities, homeowners and others. The company offers approximately 4,000 classes of equipment for rent with a total original cost of $14.09B. 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. For more information, visit unitedrentals.com.