Sunnaco No. 17 Pty Ltd

Incident description:

A plumber was crushed by a skid steer loader when the side of a trench collapsed under the weight of the machine. The skid steer loader had been scooping and dumping sand which the plumber was scattering over pipes within the trench.

WHSQ investigation findings:

The trench collapsed because the skid steer loader encroached too closely to the side of the trench. While the defendant identified the risk of trench entrapment, it had not implemented adequate systems of work to control the risks identified with excavators working in the vicinity of trenches.

Court result:

The defendant was found guilty and fined $60,000. No conviction was recorded.

Considerations for prevention:

Obligation holders operating skid steer loaders must assess the risks to workers when backfilling bedding sand within trenches. Obligation holders must consider the development of safe operating procedures for the operation of skid steer loaders around workers in trenches to minimise the risks identified.

Visit the Workplace Health and Safety Queensland website for more information on:

• conducting risk assessments
• implementing controls or evaluating or monitoring them, and
• work method statement or which work activities require them.