Investigations are ongoing into the cause of a collapsed trench on the corner of Broadway Boulevard and Broadlands Road in Strand last Tuesday (17 September).
Three workers were trapped but escaped injury and were swiftly rescued and transported to hospital. They have since been discharged.
According to a statement from ASLA Construction, the contractors responsible for the installation of the new bulk sewer line where the collapse occurred, the incident occurred around 15:30.
“Three employees were caught knee-deep in the collapsed soil. Two of the employees were immediately able to be extracted with some assistance and a third slightly later,” the statement reads.
“All three employees were taken to hospital for precautionary checks. Two were discharged the same evening and a third remained overnight for evaluation.”
The construction company immediately closed the site, pending conclusion of an internal investigation and a review of the risk and method statement for the particular localised soil conditions, it further stated. “ASLA would like to thank the emergency services who reacted and attended the scene.”
According to ASLA CEO Werner Jerling they are currently in an investigation phase and cannot comment on specific aspects under investigation.
“We will only proceed with pipe laying once all parties are satisfied with the protocols in place,” Jerling pointed out, adding that the incident is not envisaged to delay completion of this important City of Cape Town project.
Earlier in the week, Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee member for Water and Sanitation, said that all necessary safety measures were in place at the time of the incident, including the stepping and battering of the trench, as a necessary safety measure to prevent the structure from caving in.
“The site is now closed-off pending an investigation by the City’s Water and Sanitation officials,” he said.
“The contractor will be expected to submit a proposal for additional safety measures before the work can reconvene.”
