Importance of Getting Excavations Right
Posted on 31st March 2022 at 12:53
Principal contractor in Greater Manchester sentenced for putting lives at risk.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has prosecuted a principal contractor for failing to safely manage a large, deep excavation during the construction of a dwelling in Greater Manchester. The defendant was Mr Matib of Bradford who was sentenced to sixteen weeks imprisonment suspended for twelve months, ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work and pay costs of £5,673.
The inspectors reported that Mr Matib, who had employed several groundworkers, was found to have supervised unsafe excavation which put workers at risk and rendered the neighbouring property unstable.
In addition, the defendant had failed to prepare a construction phase plan, with risk assessments and method statements, failed to appoint a site manager with suitable skills, knowledge and experience to manage the work.
The excavations were not shored or suitably battered back to prevent the risk of collapse. Personal protective equipment (PPE) had not been provided and some workers were working barefoot. The site was not secured to prevent unauthorised persons from entering and a neighbouring property had been undermined which was at risk of collapse due to the excavation work.
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