Risk Advisor Konnect: August 2025 Industry Updates

By Drew Lester • 08/06/2025

Welcome to the August 2025 edition of Risk Advisor Konnect! This month, we’re focusing on three critical topics impacting businesses and communities: trench and excavation safety, back-to-school driving tips, and the rise in workplace ICE raids.

Trenches and Excavations: Staying Safe on the Job Site

Trenching and excavation work is among the most dangerous tasks in construction, with cave-ins posing a severe threat to worker safety. Following OSHA guidelines is essential to prevent injuries and fatalities.

Key Safety Measures:

Assess Surrounding Factors: Test soil conditions to identify potential hazards before starting work.
Locate Utilities: Always mark and identify underground utilities to avoid service disruptions.
Watch Overheads: Maintain a 10-foot clearance from powerlines when operating equipment.
Provide Access and Egress: Trenches 4 feet or deeper must have ladders, ramps, or stairs for safe entry and exit.
Use Protective Systems: Install benching, sloping, shoring, or shielding for trenches 5 feet or deeper unless the ground is stable rock.
Conduct Daily Inspections: A competent person should inspect trenches daily for changes, especially after weather events.
Secure Excavation Edges: Use barricades, signals, or support structures to protect against cave-ins.

Bottom Line: Never enter an unprotected trench—it’s simply not worth the risk.

Back-to-School Driving: Protecting Young Pedestrians

August signals the return of school traffic, with more children on foot and increased congestion around school zones. Drivers must remain alert and cautious.

Safe Driving Tips for School Zones:

Obey posted speed limits and slow down in high-traffic areas.
Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks—never assume they see you.
Eliminate distractions and keep your eyes on the road.
Stop for school buses with flashing lights or extended stop arms.
Keep a safe distance behind vehicles to allow children to board or exit safely.

These small actions make a big difference in protecting our youngest pedestrians.

ICE Raids on the Rise: Is Your Business Ready?

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is ramping up workplace enforcement efforts following the passage of the “Big Beautiful Bill” (BBB), which dramatically increases funding for immigration enforcement.

What’s Changing?

ICE funding will grow from $10 billion to over $100 billion by 2029.
An additional $30 billion is allocated to hire new ICE agents.
I-9 audits and workplace raids are expected to rise across all industries.

Common I-9 Violations:

Incomplete or missing forms
Late completion of I-9s
Improper record retention
Misplaced documents

How Employers Can Prepare:

Conduct Internal I-9 Audits: Regularly review and correct errors.
Train HR Teams: Ensure staff are well-versed in proper I-9 completion and compliance.
Create a Written Compliance Policy: Demonstrates good faith if ICE audits occur.
Stay Updated: Monitor changes to I-9 laws and procedures.
Use E-Verify: Helps verify employment eligibility electronically.
Know Your Rights: Consult with an immigration attorney to understand what ICE can and cannot access during a raid.

Proactive compliance can save your company from severe penalties and operational disruptions.

About Risk Advisor Konnect

Risk Advisor Konnect provides expert guidance in:

Safety/OSHA Compliance
Human Resources
Claims Support
DOT/FMCSA Compliance

Our helpline answers common questions like:

“Do I need to report OSHA 300 logs?”
“Should an employee’s accident in route to a client be an auto or workers’ comp claim?”
“How can we ensure our drivers meet FMCSA standards?”
“What steps should I take if an employee reports harassment?”

At Risk Advisor Konnect, we believe in partners helping partners—because safety and compliance are everyone’s responsibility.

All Lester Insurance Commercial Customers have access to Risk Advisor Konnect

Call 888.976.7565 or email myriskadvisor@keystoneinsgrp.com

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