South Australia engineering firm fined $75,000 after trench collapse causes leg injury

South Australia Engineering Firm Fined $75,000 After Trench Collapse Causes Leg Injury

A South Australian construction and civil engineering company has been fined $75,000 following an incident in which a worker suffered a crushed leg after a trench collapsed at a building site in the Adelaide Hills. The penalty highlights how critical safe excavation practices remain across the construction sector.

An investigation by SafeWork SA found the company failed to implement a safe system of work, contravening section 32 of the Work Health Safety Act 2012 and breaching the Excavation Work Code of Practice. This news serves as a reminder to employers of their ongoing safety obligations under work health legislation.

What Happened at the Totness Site

The engineering firm was sentenced by the South Australian Employment Tribunal after the trench collapse occurred at Totness in July 2022. Investigators determined that hazards associated with unsupported excavation walls were not properly managed before work began.

Because the trench lacked adequate shoring, the ground gave way, leaving the worker with a crushed leg and lasting injuries. This outcome underscores why excavation hazards must be assessed and controlled before any digging work commences on site.

SafeWork SA's Response

SafeWork SA's Executive Director, Glenn Farrel, said the worker's injury could have been prevented had the company followed work health and safety regulations or adhered to the Excavation Work Code of Practice. He stressed that trench collapses remain among the most serious hazards facing construction crews, and that safe excavation methods are non-negotiable when lives are at risk.

Farrel's comments reflect a broader message from SafeWork SA: safety compliance isn't optional, and companies that cut corners on safe work practices expose their teams to preventable harm.

Lessons for Construction and Civil Engineering Firms

This case demonstrates why every excavation project needs a documented, safe system of work before crews step onto site. Key steps include:

• Conducting a thorough risk assessment to identify excavation hazards before work begins
• Installing appropriate shoring, benching, or battering to prevent trench walls from collapsing
• Ensuring supervisors and workers understand safe entry and exit procedures
• Following the Excavation Work Code of Practice and relevant health and safety regulations at every stage

Firms managing excavation work can strengthen their compliance by using a documented Trench Collapse Safe Work Method Statement, which outlines control measures for identified hazards and supports safer site practices. Pairing this with an Excavation Collapse Emergency Response Plan ensures teams know exactly how to respond if a collapse does occur.

Recording incidents accurately is equally important. An Event / Injury / Investigation Report Form helps businesses capture details promptly, supporting both internal review and any subsequent regulatory investigation.

Similar Enforcement Cases

This isn't the first time a business has faced consequences for failing to maintain safe work conditions. Other recent cases include a Melbourne restaurant fined $40,000 after a worker sustained an injury while using a dough mixer, a carpentry firm fined after an apprentice fell, and a Victorian abattoir fined $55,000 following a forklift injury. Together, these cases show regulators across Australia continue to prioritise worker safety enforcement.

More details on this South Australian trench collapse case can be found here.