Officials Identify Worker Killed After Trench Collapsed In Alpine
Apr 25, 2019, 1:21 PM
ALPINE, Utah – Authorities identified a construction worker who was killed Thursday while building a backyard swimming pool.
Rescue crews were called to a home near 700 North and High ridge Circle where they found Luis Moran, 53, buried up to his waist in a trench.
Lone Peak Fire Battalion Chief Reed Thompson said the victim quickly succumbed to his injuries before they could rescue him. Moran died at the scene.
Thompson said Moran was working in an unsecured open hole.
“The victim was in a trench that did not have any security measures in place, i.e. shoring,” he said. “(It was) deeper than what OSHA requires at 4 feet. As a result of that, you’ve got heavy dirt and other material that can potentially fall or collapse into the open hole, which is what occurred.”
A recovery team with trench rescue certification was called in so they could remove Moran without putting anyone else in danger. OSHA is now investigating the situation.