Hi Guys, apparently yesterday there was something in the Harald about a young drainlayer that died in a 3 meter trench, has anyone heard about this? Would really appreciate if someone could post the article. Poor family 

Linkback: http://www.plumbers.co.nz/forum/rant-or-rave/5/drainlayer-buried-alive/834/

Very Sad 

bugger, thats very sad news to hear 

And to sit here knowing a few hundred dollars and a trench shield and this young man would still be running around.

Thats the problem we face in this industry with so many young fullas and employers willing to not take there safety serriously...

I suspect the employer will have the book thrown at him....

As an employee its damb hard to say no to your boss in this area of health and safety and calulated risk taking...but sometimes you just have to put your foot down!

To all you young fullas out there if you dont feel safe STOP and get out and challenge your employer about the safeness of the situation...you have EVERY LEGAL RIGHT to not work in situations where you do not feel safe...within reason.

No job is worth your life.

This is tragic - no matter what the circumstances.  It is all the MORE tragic if indeed any employer has asked an employee to undertake work that is not safe and that employee has felt they could not say anything.  Of course until all the circumstances come to light there is little point in conjecture about who was at fault - and nothing will bring back the life that was lost.  A son, maybe a brother, a father, uncle, nephew, friend - all lost.  All we can do now is learn from what comes out to save some other life.

I see everyone is quick to point out that perhaps employers put pressure on staff to work in unsafe conditions - but flip this thought around - why would an employer want to risk his MOST valuable asset - an employee? You can replace every tool you own, but you cannot easily replace a trained staff member.  I have to say that we spend thousands on safety gear and training courses - and never once would I ever ask anyone to do anything that they did not consider safe.  In fact as part of our induction process staff are given all my numbers and I personally tell them that if any senior staff ask them to do something they do not feel trained to do, or feel unsafe then they have my permission (and in fact I insist) that they say no - and they contact me.  The problem I have is making sure they follow the health and safety rules and what they have learned at Site Safe etc.  Also that they wear the safety equipment issued to them.  You have only two eyes and two ears, you can't get new ones.  Your safety glasses will NOT protect you sitting in the front seat of the van, nor your ear protection if it is not worn.  I'll bet I'm not the only employer who experiences frustration when they come across a staff member not using what is bought and paid for!  First and foremost you must look after yourself - not amount of money can replace you.

Yea i understand where your coming from jax("I see everyone is quick to point out that perhaps employers put pressure on staff to work in unsafe conditions - but flip this thought around - why would an employer want to risk his MOST valuable asset - an employee?")...but to most employers out there speed and proffit out weigh safety most of the time...and its nice to know there are employers like you that actually do follow some sort of safety programe...

As far as i can understand from the health and safety in employment act and regs...notifiable works...(c) Every excavation which is more than 1.5 meters deep and which is deeper than it is wide at the top.
I would hesitate to say that if an osh notifiable works form had of been filled out and filed then the question would have been asked what are you using to shore that excavation?

4.3 general requirments
4.3.1 Excavations to be shored
4.3.1.2 Excavations 1.5 meters or deeper
Excavations greater than or equal to 1.5 m deep are particularly hazardous and MUST be shored unless
(a) The face is cut back to a safe slope and the material in the face will remain stable under all anticipated conditions of work and weather; or
(b)Shoring is impractiable or unreasonable, and safety precautions certified by a registred engineer to be adequate, have been taken.

What a sad situation this is for all involved.

Novembers common exam will be loaded with Excavations and osh.