Trump’s Approach to OSHA: What Every Cemetery Must Do

Trenching, Excavation and what every cemetery must do

Why Cemeteries Need to Pay Attention Now

Donald Trump’s return to the White House has already reshaped the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). A regulatory “pause” has stalled several Biden‑era rules; most notably, the national heat‑stress standard.

For cemeteries, whose work routinely involves excavation, heavy equipment, chemical use, and outdoor exposure, the political shift doesn’t remove their legal duty to protect workers. Instead, it creates a window of opportunity to tighten safety programs before state‑level agencies step in.

Common OSHA Hazards in Cemetery Operations

Hazard Why It Matters for Cemeteries
Excavation & Trenching Open graves are technically trenches. OSHA requires sloping, shoring, or shielding for trenches ≥ 5 ft, plus daily inspections by a competent person.
Heavy Equipment & Material Handling Backhoes, skid-steers, and monument lifts can cause struck‑by or caught‑between injuries if not operated and inspected properly.
Chemical & Hazard Communication Herbicides, fuels, and cleaning agents fall under OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard. SDSs must be accessible and employees trained.
PPE & Ergonomics Lawn care and monument setting require PPE. Musculoskeletal injuries are common without proper lifting aids.
Heat, Cold, and Outdoor Exposure Even as federal rules pause, states like California enforce heat illness plans. Hydration, shade, and rest breaks are essential.

What’s Changing Under Trump—and What Isn’t

  • Regulatory Pause: The national heat-stress rule is stalled. But state plans and insurance risks remain real.
  • Leadership Turnover: New OSHA leadership suggests a more cooperative tone—but citations for clear hazards continue.
  • High Hazard Focus: Trenching and excavation remain OSHA inspection priorities.
  • State Enforcement: Twenty-two states run their own OSHA programs—many strengthening, not relaxing, rules.

Bottom line: Don’t confuse federal delays with leniency. OSHA enforcement and insurance impacts are still very real for cemeteries.

Five‑Step Action Plan for Cemetery Management

  1. Perform a Cemetery‑Specific Hazard Assessment: Map every task from grave digging to monument installation to its OSHA standard. Use a simple spreadsheet or 

    CST’s free cemetery safety checklist.

  2. Update Written Programs: 
    • Emergency Action and Fire Safety Program *
    • Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Program _
    • Hazard Communication Program & Certified Safety Data Sheets
    • Respiratory Protection Program*
    • Personal Protective Equipment Program
    • Spill Response Program
    • Slips, Trips, and Falls Program
    • Ladder Safety Program
    • Excavation, Trenching & Confined Space Safety Program
    • Lockout/Tagout Program
    • Scissor Lift Safety Program 
    • Power Hand Tools Safety Program 
    • General Safety Checklist
  3. Train & Document: Provide annual training on the highest hazards your employees face, including but not limited to: trench safety, chemical handling, equipment operation, and fire safety. Ensure your recordkeeping is maintained for a minimum of five years and thirty years for health-related items. 
  4. Inspect Graves Before Work: A "competent person" must inspect trench stability, spoil placement (≥ 2 ft from edge), utilities, and a protective systems daily and after weather events.
  5. Engage Compliance Experts: Leverage OSHA’s online materials or partner with Certified Safety Training for cemetery specific audits, safety plans, and recordkeeping tools.

Quick‑Reference Safety Checklist

✓ Competent person designated and trained for trenching

✓ Protective system (slop, sore, or shield) in any grave ≥ 5 ft deep

✓ Daily equipment inspections logged

✓ SDSs for all chemicals accessible on site (digital or printed)

✓ Heat-illness procedures: shade, water, breaks, acclimatization

✓ PPE issued, employees fit-tested/educated where applicable

✓ Training records current (within last 12 months) 

Looking Ahead

Trump’s OSHA may favor “compliance assistance,” but civil penalties for willful violations still exceed $170,000 per citation. By solidifying your safety culture now, you’ll safeguard workers, avoid costly fines, and strengthen your cemetery’s reputation with grieving families and the community.

Need help? Contact Certified Safety Training for a complimentary cemetery safety assessment and tailored OSHA compliance roadmap. 

References

  • Kettenmann, S. OSHA in 2025: Navigating the New Landscape Under the Trump Administration, Employment Law Letter, April 14, 2025.
  • OSHA. Trenching and Excavation Safety (Publication 2226).
  • Noor, D. Trump pick for workplace safety agency sparks fears heat protections will be derailed, The Guardian, May 15, 2025.
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