A 24-year-old worker killed in Kent trench collapse

Unfortunately another person has died in a trench collapse, this time, here in Kent.

Construction Enquirer reported on the 8th April 2011 that a man has been arrested on suspicion of corporate manslaughter after a worker was killed in a trench collapse.

Police and the air ambulance were called to the housing site in Whitstable yesterday but the 24-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.

The young man from Canterbury in Kent is believed to have been working in a 6ft deep trench for sewer pipes when the sides collapsed.

Despite attempts to dig the man free, paramedics were unable to save him.

Health and Safety Executive inspectors are investigating and are being assisted by Kent Police who have arrested a man.

The housing site is located close to a primary school, which closed for the afternoon to prevent any distress for the children.

A spokesman for the Kent Air Ambulance said the man had suffered a cardiac arrest.

We at Lighthouse Safety are continually reminding clients about the need to provide a Safe Place of Work, no matter the type of work or the location, accidents often happen when the task has been planned to last just a short duration.

Excavations and the work in or near to them, should be subject to a site specific risk assessment, with appropriate controls being implemented prior to, during and after the work has finished.

If you have any concerns of how to approach working near excavations, please seek our advice before taking a chance.