By Aaron Lavazza, Guest Contributor
National Safety Month is underway, and for two Arizona construction crews, the message couldn’t be more urgent.
In just one day this past May, two separate trench collapses occurred in the Valley. In Chandler, fire crews rushed to a site near Alma School and Queen Creek roads, where an unconscious worker was pulled from a collapsed trench. He was rushed to the hospital in serious condition. The man, working just another routine day, didn’t expect to end it beneath the soil. Neither did his crew. Earlier that same day, another trench rescue near Cave Creek Road and Sonoran Desert Drive ended more fortunately—workers there managed to self-extricate.
Two trench failures. One afternoon. No fatalities—but plenty of warnings.
As the Marketing Director at Lavazza Safety, I see these stories not as headlines, but as calls to action. When safety is treated as a checklist instead of a culture, it’s not a question of if something will go wrong—but when.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 103 workers lost their lives on the job in Arizona in 2023, the same number as the year before. Transportation incidents accounted for 42 deaths—41% of the state’s total—and falls, slips, and trips claimed 19 lives. Nationally, workplace fatalities fell by nearly 4%. In Arizona? No change.
The numbers are clear. The time for reactive compliance is over.
Construction: Growth Without Guardrails
Arizona’s construction sector is booming—but the pace of that growth often compromises safe practices. We frequently see:
- New hires starting without proper orientation
- Essential inspections skipped to save time
- Safety meetings sidelined in the name of productivity
That’s how trench collapses happen. That’s how lives are endangered.
At Lavazza Safety, we help field supervisors integrate brief, shift-specific safety talks, powered by mobile checklists. These tools make real-time enforcement simple and effective, turning safety from a memo into a mindset.
“Safety isn’t a checklist. It’s a mindset.” — Aaron Lavazza
Manufacturing: Modern Machines, New Risks
Automation has transformed Arizona’s manufacturing sector—but it also introduces emerging hazards:
- Complex lockout/tagout procedures for advanced machinery
- Repetitive strain risks from high-speed production lines
We conduct comprehensive risk assessments, then help clients implement a mix of engineering controls and operational policies tailored to their systems. One-size-fits-all doesn’t cut it when lives are on the line.
Warehousing & Logistics: Speed Versus Safety
The rise of e-commerce means nonstop movement in warehouses:
- Forklifts and foot traffic crossing paths
- Long hours and night shifts breeding fatigue
We advocate for clearly marked pedestrian zones, fatigue training, and intelligent shift rotation. In early 2024, we worked with a West Valley distribution center to restructure their traffic flow—forklift-related near misses dropped by 40% in three months.
Agriculture: Invisible Risks in Plain Sight
Agriculture remains central to Arizona’s economy. But many workers—especially seasonal and migrant—face outsized risks:
- Language barriers during safety briefings
- Heat exposure and chemical handling without adequate protocols
We deliver multilingual training, heat illness prevention plans, and materials designed for real-world conditions in Arizona fields—not just theoretical standards.
By the Numbers: Arizona Workplace Fatalities, 2023
- 103 total deaths
- 42 from transportation incidents (41%)
- 19 from falls, slips, and trips (18%)
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Safety as DNA, Not Decoration
When safety is seen as a cost, not a value—it fails. But when it’s embedded into a company’s DNA, it creates confidence, loyalty, and sustainability.
At Lavazza Safety, we don’t just consult. We partner with organizations to build systems that evolve alongside their growth. That means:
- Leadership must champion safety. Culture starts at the top.
- Training must reflect real conditions. Templates don’t prevent injuries—tailored programs do.
- Improvement must be ongoing. Yesterday’s standards won’t meet tomorrow’s risks.
“When I heard about the trench collapse in Chandler, it hit close to home—not just because our office is nearby, but because these are the types of incidents we work every day to prevent.”
Don’t wait for a near miss to force your hand. Audit your safety systems. Update your training. Talk to your people.
And if you’re not sure where to start—call us.
Because safety isn’t just a policy—it’s a promise.
Aaron Lavazza is the Marketing Director for Lavazza Safety, based in Chandler, Arizona. To learn more about building a proactive, people-first safety culture, visit www.lavazzasafety.com.
