The recent fatal collapse of an excavation site in the City of Tshwane, which marks the third such incident since 2021, has sparked growing concerns about the safety of workers and the public at these sites, where trenches are being dug for various purposes.
This comes after a 39-year-old construction worker tragically lost his life recently after being buried under soil in Ekangala Block F, near the R568 Road.
The incident occurred when a trench, approximately five metres deep, collapsed during excavation work, trapping four workers underneath.
Lindsay Mnguni, spokesperson for the City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department, revealed that the recent fatal incident is the third of its kind since 2021.
He said the alarming trend has raised concerns about the safety of workers and the public at excavation worksites.
Although the number of incidents may seem relatively low, Mnguni said the consequences of trench collapses are often severe, resulting in tragic fatalities and critical injuries.
“Although there have been very few isolated incidents where trenches have collapsed on workers during operations, the aggravating consequences when these incidents occur cannot be ignored. Therefore, there is a need to emphasise adherence to national safety regulations as set out in the law,” he said.
On February 27, a distress call reporting the trench collapse was received by the Emergency Communication Centre at 16:52. Swiftly responding to the emergency, the centre deployed firefighting teams from both Bronkhorstspruit Fire Station and Innesdale Fire Station to the scene.
Upon arrival, firefighters were met with a harrowing sight of a collapsed trench trapping four workers beneath the rubble during excavation work, said Mnguni.
“Three workers escaped with minor injuries and were treated at the scene and transported to the nearby Bronkhorstspruit District Hospital for further medical observation. However, the fourth worker was trapped and sadly suffered fatal injuries,” he said.
Local councillor Patrick Mabona, who visited the site, commended the swift and tireless efforts of the SAPS, Tshwane Disaster Management, and Emergency teams, who worked diligently to assist and recover the deceased.
Mabona said the tragic incident occurred at a sewer project site operated by Ditshemega Projects and Training, the main contractor.
He extended his heartfelt condolences to the grieving family and friends of the deceased.
“As leaders of the city, we emphasise the importance of safety in all infrastructure projects and urge all stakeholders to prioritise the well-being of workers and communities,” he said.
Mnguni highlighted that a similar tragedy struck in 2023 when a second trench collapse incident in Capital Park claimed the lives of three workers who were labouring in a deep trench.
“One person survived the trench collapse, although he sustained severe injuries. The victim was treated on-site and transported to hospital for further medical treatment and observation,” he said.
The third incident occurred in Hammanskraal in 2021, where a worker suffered critical injuries when part of a three-metre-deep trench caved in, pinning his leg while he was working inside.
Mnguni said: “The Emergency Services Department would like to highlight the need for all concerned parties to take steps to prevent these tragic incidents from occurring in the future. These incidents do not only pose danger to the workers if adequate safety measures are not put in place, but they are also a major hazard to the communities where these excavations are conducted.”
Furthermore, he said, rescue personnel are also put in harm's way, as they are required to conduct rescues in extremely perilous conditions, inherent to collapsed trenches, which poses significant risks to their safety.