by Mike Fernandez

6/2001 - Efficiency Production was recently contacted by the Public Broadcasting System to help in the production of a film on Trench Safety Practices. With trench accidents getting more coverage on national news networks the PBS-TV group sought to raise awareness of the issue and present solutions that are available from the trench shielding industry. Nationally, 50-100 workers are killed every year and many more are seriously injured in trench accidents; using proper trench shielding or shoring practices could avoid most.

WJMK-TV from Boca Raton, Florida, was assigned to produce the documentary for PBS’s American Architectural Review Series. The program highlights advancements in construction techniques and is hosted by renowned television news journalist Morley Safer of "60 Minutes". Efficiency Production worked closely with the crew to develop the script and provided trench shielding equipment, construction site locations, additional jobsite footage, and exclusive information for the production.

Efficiency’s President Ken Forsberg, and Research & Development Director Doug Austin were interviewed for insights into the underground construction industry. National Utility Contractors Association’s (NUCA) Safety Director George Kennedy delivered a thoughtful interview on the hazards of working in the trenches. U.S. Representative Mike Rogers from Michigan’s 8^th Congressional District gave input on how safe working standards promote the progress of building America’s infrastructure. One of Michigan’s prominent contractors, Ed MacKenzie of E.T. MacKenzie Co., contributed practical information and provided several jobsites to film. Also, Jeff Newton of Michigan CAT near Lansing contributed a Caterpillar 325 to the cause.

Efficiency premiered the 8-minute film at Con-Expo in March 2002. It is instructional and educational in nature and can be used as an underground construction safety training video. Several working sites are shown to illustrate practical applications of trench shields and their effectiveness in reducing the amount of excavation and restoration. It also demonstrates how trench shields help utility contractors and municipalities to meet OSHA’s trench excavation standards. A trailer segment also highlights Efficiency’s latest development, a Parallel Beam design on a Slide Rail System.

The American Architectural Review Series airs on 345 PBS stations in the United States, the U.S. Government Information Agency’s WorldNet, known as the "Voice of America" reaching 127 countries, and the American Independent Network (AIN) with 50 stations in the U.S. The segment will run at the end of building related programs on PBS as a "News Break". It will have a potential reach of about 48 million primetime viewers who watch PBS weekly.

Efficiency received videotape copies of the film for distribution to those in the construction industry to promote safe underground construction practices. Please contact Efficiency Production, Inc. for free VHS copies at 800-552-8800.

PBS Film crew covers the trench safety story.
		L-R; Efficiency President Ken Forsberg , PBS cameraman, PBS Producer Bob Ruttenburg, NUCA Safety Director George Kennedy.