Groundworks company fined after worker dies in excavation collapse

Caddie was trapped in soil from the neck down before being rescued by the emergency services. He died from his injuries in hospital three days later on 28 November. His colleague was uninjured.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the collapse was caused by a lack of support to the vertical walls of the excavation. Carrig Construction failed to identify the risks of working in the excavation and did not ensure there were practicable steps in place to ensure workers were protected while inside it.

In addition, none of the workers under the company’s control had any formal training on working within excavations and were unaware of the risks involved.

Carrig Construction Services Ltd, of Hunters Way, Lochwinnoch, Argyll, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. It was fined £75,000 at Glasgow Sheriff Court on 28 August 2024.

Graeme McMinn, a principal inspector at the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), said: “This was a tragic and wholly avoidable accident, caused by the failure of Carrig Construction Services Limited to put in place measures to control the risk of the sides of the excavation collapsing.”