Yet Another trench collapse death

Yet Another trench collapse death

On Tuesday 26 June 2012 a trench collapsed at a new housing development in Pembrokeshire killing a 54-year-old man at the scene at Letterston, near Fishguard.

It is understood foundations were being dug when the collapse happened at 10:10 on Tuesday morning.

A police spokesperson said the man’s next of kin, and the coroner for Pembrokeshire, have been informed.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service sent two fire crews from Haverfordwest and Fishguard.

Specialists from the fire service’s urban search and rescue team from Earlswood near Briton Ferry also went to the site off Station Road, along with paramedics from the Welsh Ambulance Service.

The rescue team were helped by site staff with diggers to recover the body.

Source: Construction Enquirer

LST Comment:

Yet again another tragic accident which should have been prevented. Crushing is amongst the top killers in construction because of this preventative measures have been thought out and should have been taken.

The common factor that shows up time and time again in these scenarios is the fact the workers/management seem not to be able to interpret risk. A simple trench may from the outside look harmless and the risk may not be obvious but the consequences are disastrous.

This story highlights the need for competent people completing work and the need for better discipline for carrying out correct procedures from all levels of a company.