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PHW · Construction · 2026-06-26

Cavendish Basements Limited sentenced after a worker was buried when an excavation wall collapsed

Vant Road, London ·

What happened

A worker was levelling ground in a 3-metre deep excavation when the side wall collapsed onto him after rainfall, pinning him against the wall. The work had not been planned, managed or monitored, and the incident was not reported to HSE until two months later.

Injuries: Life-changing injuries

The breach

Section 37(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 via Regulation 15(2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015

The sentence

  • Costs: £4,608
  • Other sentence: 6 months imprisonment suspended for 2 years
HSE inspector

“This was a wholly avoidable incident, where had appropriate measures been taken the life-changing injuries would not have occurred.”

What would have prevented it

Excavations must be planned, shored and monitored, especially after rainfall, and incidents must be reported to HSE without delay.

How PHW helps

The machines, packs and quizzes that fit this kind of site.

Sector

Training and H&S evidence for construction sites

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Safety pack

Excavations and buried services

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Safety pack

Working at height

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Quiz

Could you show a site manager today, in writing, that each operator is authorised to use your machines?

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Source: HSE press release, Construction company director sentenced after collapsing excavation wall leaves worker with life-changing injuries