Harlands Builders Limited have been prosecuted following an incident that left a groundworker trapped in a two-metre deep excavation.
On 26 June 2019, the company were carrying out groundworks at West Farm Stone in East Riding. The worker entered the excavation in order to measure the depth of a part of it when it collapsed on him, leaving him trapped. As a result of the incident, the worker sustained a broken tibia and fibula on his left leg.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that the excavation had three unsupported sheer sides and was not battered back. They also said that the incident also put other workers at risk as they went into the excavation in order to help free the trapped worker.
Harlands Builders Limited pleaded guilty to breaching the Construction Design Management Regulations SI 2015/51. They were fined £12,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1,139.
HSE inspector, Sarah Robinson, commented on the incident: "The excavation should have been supported or battered back, and no individuals should have been asked to go into the excavation whilst it was unsafe. This incident could have led to the death of the worker. The case highlights the importance of identifying and following any risk assessment that was set in place."
