At a construction site, four workers are buried in a ditch with steep sides; one victim is partially exposed. What is the first action you should take?

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Keep the scene safe first. In a ditch with steep sides, the priority is to prevent a further collapse and protect both victims and rescuers. Having bystanders stay away from the trench until trained personnel and equipment arrive reduces the risk of additional injuries and allows a proper rescue plan to be established. Entering the ditch or starting rapid extrication without trench-certified stabilization could cause the walls to shift and trap more people. Tourniquets on all limbs isn’t appropriate at this stage and would divert attention from securing the scene and summoning specialized rescue resources. Once the trench rescue team arrives, they will stabilize the area and perform a controlled rescue.