Workers received six hours of training on trenching and shoring after state officials closed a worksite earlier this month, city officials said Monday.

Tony Barrett, district safety coordinator for Indian Capital Technology Center, said 23 or more city pollution control workers took training at the center last week in two different, six-hour courses.

The training came as a result of state safety investigators ordering city workers out of a 14-foot-deep trench Sept. 8.

City workers were repairing a sanitary sewer leak on East Shawnee and Ridge avenues when investigators with the Oklahoma Public Employees Safety and Health Unit of the state Department of Labor stopped the project. The men were working in violation of federal and state safety rules and at great risk of their life, said Thomas Reynga, supervisor with the state unit.

“Anytime you dig a trench of more than 5 feet, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires you to have some type of trenching or shoring in place,” Barrett said. “It is recommended at 3 feet, but you can go to 5 feet.”

He said the city employees who took the class seemed interested “and hopefully, we can prevent any near misses.”

One cubic foot of soil can weigh between 90 and 120 pounds, he said.

City Engineer Steve Almon said planning for future trenching and shoring jobs will include a plan of operation. State safety measures require a certified, professional engineer draw up plans for any such project and a copy of those plans be at the job site.

Barrett said workers told him the city purchased some timber after the incident. Barrett learned it wouldn’t work because it was not the proper wood to meet OSHA guidelines. Only a certain type of oak or nominal fur is acceptable for shoring, he said.

Aluminum hydraulic shoring was used for training, and Barrett said he intends to demonstrate it this week and let the city try it out.

Almon said the city is looking at some aluminum shoring.

Reach Donna Hales at 918-684-2923 or Click Here to Send Email