Analysis of Trench Collapse Accident at Pivotal Construction Site: Root Causes and

Safety Recommendations 1

Title: Causal Analysis of the Accident at Pivotal Site

Nirasha Thilini Athapattu Athapattu Mudiyanselage

Construction Management, Conestoga College

COMM8170: Business Communication & Technical Writing

Tom Leslie

June 04, 2023

Analysis of Trench Collapse Accident at Pivotal Construction Site: Root Causes and
Safety Recommendations 2

On an unexpected day, January 03, 2023, Thirty-five-year-old Kevin Welland, an

experienced employee of Pivotal Construction, was seriously injured due to a sudden

and forceful trench collapse at Pivotal Site 22 E in Guelph, Ontario. This incident is a

clear message to site management, highlighting the crucial need to prioritize the safety

of workers at the construction site. To find out the root causes and make suggestions

for procedural changes to avoid such incidents in the future, a site investigation was

conducted by examining workers' history, the company's safety protocols, emergency

procedures, regulatory compliance, and interviews with casualty and the workers

involved. In this analysis, the causes of the accident were acknowledged, and

appropriate measures were recommended to improve safety protocols and ensure the

well-being of all Pivotal Construction workers.

During the inspection, several significant findings were uncovered. Firstly, the

worker had experienced a similar incident in the past, where a trench collapsed. Even

though no injuries were sustained in the previous occurrence, the site management

could have done proper documentation or investigation. This failure prevented

identifying potential issues or patterns that could have been addressed to avoid a

recurrence.

Secondly, even though Occupational Safety Act (OSA) specified all the

procedures for workers entering trenches, highlighting the importance of using movable

trench shoring, in the company's safety manual, no specific guidelines were provided for

workers to enter and work safely. Even the site management did not use basic safety

protocols in excavations, such as temporary shoring, underlining the negligence of

Analysis of Trench Collapse Accident at Pivotal Construction Site: Root Causes and
Safety Recommendations 3
workers' safety. However, the accident occurred because the established safety

procedures were improperly followed or implemented. This failure to adhere to the

guidelines resulted in a lack of stability and safety within the trench.

In addition, the investigations highlighted a gap between the first aid procedures.

There was a detailed procedure for contacting emergency services, but the first aid

administration could not provide clear information on essential medical assistance. This

made it challenging to address the injured worker's immediate needs.

Further information was gathered through the site manager and crew members'

interviews. The site manager admitted leaving Kevin responsible for supervising the

trenching work while handling office duties. This fact indicates that there were issues

with supervision at the worksite, which is a cause for concern. It highlights the

importance of having clear communication and adequate care to ensure safety and

proper management at the worksites. However, another crew member expressed

concerns about the safety of the trench walls, which Kevin ignored. Here Kevin's

disregarded warnings and proceeds with his actions show the lack of adherence to

safety guidelines and failure to assess and mitigate risks.

During an interview with Kevin, he expressed a sense of urgency to keep the

project progressing due to weather-related delays. He admitted to frequently entering

trenches without incident and was unaware of the Occupational Safety Act regulations

of safe trenchwork. This expressed how site management should have paid more

attention to their responsibility to provide thorough training and ensure that all workers

knew the necessary safety protocols. At the same time, if the project was behind
Analysis of Trench Collapse Accident at Pivotal Construction Site: Root Causes and
Safety Recommendations 4
schedule, the site management could have adjusted the project timeline without

compromising the well-being of the workers.

As measures for these root causes, the company needs to adjust its safety

procedures to avoid similar accidents from happening again. Recommendations

include:

1. Investigate accidents, take corrective action, and prevent future incidents.

2. Develop and implement comprehensive first-aid protocols with clear instructions.

3. Establish procedures and guidelines for safe trench entry, including using

moveable trench shoring.

4. Ensure compliance with safety regulations, including the OSA, through regular

reviews and updates.

5. Improve supervision and communication at worksites to address safety concerns

effectively.

6. Conduct training programs to enhance employee awareness of safety protocols

and regulations.

In conclusion, the accident at Pivotal Construction is serve as a stark reminder of

the crucial importance of prioritizing worker safety on construction sites . Root causes

were identified through an in-depth investigation, and recommendations were made to

stop similar events in the future. By implementing comprehensive safety protocols,

enhancing supervision, and improving communication, Pivotal Construction can create

a safer working environment and protect the well-being of its employees.