A Houston apartment complex was the site of a deadly trench collapse on Feb. 5, 2025, claiming the life of one construction worker while another barely escaped.
With little known about this trench collapse, authorities are now searching for answers, working to uncover what happened and whether anything could have been done to prevent it. Here’s what we know so far, with more:
- About the 2025 Deadly Trench Collapse in Houston
- Top 7 Causes of Fatal Trench Collapses
- What’s Next?
About the 2025 Deadly Trench Collapse in Houston
Just before 2 p.m. on Wednesday, February 5th, an emergency call came into the Houston Fire Department (HFD), reporting an “unknown collapse” at Stoneriver Apartments on 8901 Bissonnet St.
First responders hurried to the scene, arriving around 1:52 p.m. to find a collapsed trench and workers trying to revive an unconscious crew member.
According to witnesses and authorities:
- The trench in question was roughly 8 feet (ft.) deep and 25 ft. wide, prior to the collapse.
- Two construction workers were in the trench when the walls caved in.
- While one worker managed to get out, the other did not, and he was pronounced deceased at the scene around 2 p.m.
No causes of this trench collapse have been reported at this time, and no details have been released about how the trench was set up, whether safety protocols were followed, and how much training — and safety equipment — had been provided to workers.
Top 7 Causes of Fatal Trench Collapses
Ongoing investigations may soon uncover one or more contributing factors involved in the recent trench collapse in Houston. Those factors could include (and may not be limited to) some common safety failures, like:
- A lack of protective systems: Failure to implement protective measures—such as sloping, shoring, or shielding—can greatly increase the risk of cave-ins. OSHA mandates these systems for trenches deeper than 5 feet, so the one at the Southwest Houston apartment complex should have had some sort of protective systems in place.
- Unstable soil: Sand, water saturation, and other soil conditions can be highly prone to sudden collapse. Making matters worse, a cubic yard of soil can weigh as much as a car, making cave-ins deadly within seconds.
- Water accumulation: Water in trenches can erode soil stability, leading to unexpected collapses. That’s why OSHA emphasizes the need to mitigate water accumulation to maintain trench integrity.
- Improper spoil placement: Placing excavated materials too close to the trench edge can add extra weight, increasing the likelihood of a cave-in. Consequently, OSHA requires that excavated spoils be kept at least 2 feet away from trench edges.
- Lack of inspections by a competent person: Trenches must undergo daily inspections by a trained individual to ensure they remain safe enough to work in. When these inspections don’t occur or when experienced professionals are not conducting them, the risk of trench collapses can skyrocket.
- Inadequate access and egress: Without proper ladders or ramps, workers can easily be trapped inside trenches during emergencies. To avoid that, OSHA mandates safe entry and exit points in trenches 4 feet or deeper.
- Adjacent structures: Nearby buildings or equipment can exert pressure on trench walls, compromising their stability. OSHA advises assessing and securing adjacent structures to prevent additional stress on trench walls.
What’s Next?
As investigations continue, only time will tell if the victims, including the family who lost their loved one to this tragedy, will get the answers they need and deserve. Even if some answers remain elusive, there may be other avenues for seeking accountability and righting the wrongs that have been done.
Consulting with a trench accident attorney or catastrophic injury attorney can be a simple, effective way to explore those potential avenues and take the first steps toward financial recovery and justice.