Construction firm fined after apprentice almost killed

A conviction and $80,000 fine have been delivered to a construction company, after an apprentice plumber was badly injured during an excavation collapse.

Olive Construction Pty Ltd pleaded guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court to one charge contrary to section 26 of the OHS Act for failing to provide a workplace that was safe and without risks to health. The company was also ordered to pay $3505 in costs.

The court heard an apprentice and two other contractors attended a Canterbury townhouse construction site in September 2016 to install two pump tanks approximately two metres from an excavated basement wall.

While the tanks were being installed, the excavation collapsed, leaving the apprentice partially engulfed.

The teenager, who had been in his role for 18 days, suffered collapsed lungs, 12 broken ribs, a fractured sternum, damage to his pancreas and a fractured shoulder.

Olive Construction had obtained a geotechnical report, which classified the site as being at high risk of abnormal moisture conditions.

The report advised that attention should be given to ensure significant changes to soil moisture did not develop during construction.

In the days leading up to the incident the site received approximately 17 mm of rain.

The court also heard that Olive Construction should have supervised the contractors, or prevented them from accessing the site, until the soil conditions had been properly assessed and the wall stabilised.

WorkSafe Victoria Acting Executive Director of Health and Safety Paul Fowler said the incident was a traumatic example of the dangers of working in and around excavations.

“All excavated walls or pits have inherent risks and employers must implement appropriate controls to ensure a safe working environment,” Fowler said.

“There is little point in obtaining a geotechnical report if an employer does not heed its recommendations and there is no excuse for exposing workers, especially those who are young and inexperienced, to the dangers of an excavation collapse.”

According to WorkSafe Victoria, employers overseeing work in and around excavations should:

• be aware and assess the impact of weather events on ground conditions,
• assess ground conditions around the site and in the excavation,
• ensure appropriate ground support or retention systems are in place,
• appoint a competent person to supervise works,
• ensure a safe system of work is developed and followed for excavations.
   

To view the May 2018 compliance codes for excavation or for more information about construction safety visit www.worksafe.vic.gov.au.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Aisyaqilumar