Trench Rescue Australia

Sad news out of Victoria, a worker has died today in a trench collapse at a housing estate in Kilmore, Victoria. I'll post more details if/when they come to hand.

VIC114. May 1997. Fatality - Justin O'Connor. Of interest because the coroners report is included. A series of recommendations are made that could have just as easily been dated 2024 because progress in this field across the country is ALMOST non-existent, but they include: (1) Trench rescue training of MFESB personnel should be re-assessed and expanded to include reference to:
a) hazards involved with trenches near backfilled soil and existing service trenches, as. depicted in the 1988 Victorian "Code of Practice for Safety Precautions in Trenching Operations;"
b) hazards involved in trenches in close proximity to groundwater or nearby sewers, drains and the like.
c) practical training in 'quick' rescue techniques, such as the correct way to use excavators safely to rescue a buried worker, without further risk to the worker.
(2) Training of MFESB designated trench rescuers should be on a more regular basis than appears to have been in the past.
(3) The MFESB Draft Trench Rescue Manual 1999 needs to be expanded to give guidance on the correct techniques to be used when battering (such as where and how a trench should be battered or benched when someone is buried) or employing trench shields (such as where and how shields should be placed) in a trench rescue situation and also on the dangers involved in these techniques
(4) Consideration be given to the preparation and use by MFESB personnel of a standard questionnaire/checklist upon arrival at a construction site rescue, that addresses, inter alia:
a) soil and ground water conditions;
b) evidence of soil instability;
c) location of underground services and trenches;
d) previous history of soil collapses, trench failures;
e) resources and expertise available that could assist in the rescue effort.
5) Upon formulating a rescue plan following appraisal of risks and uncertainties, a contingency plan should be prepared and appropriate know-how, equipment and resources made ready as a fall-back option. In a trench rescue scenario both a pump and a fresh air blower should be tested on arrival at the accident site and be on immediate standby.
(6) An exclusion zone should be declared around the scene of a trench accident, or soil collapse, which takes into account the likelihood of a primary or secondary soil collapse due to the presence of bystanders and rescue personnel, or other destabilising activities. Only personnel and equipment that are directly related to essential medical care, emergency activities and rescue efforts should be permitted to enter the exclusion zone, with any such personnel working on planks or other hard protective materials to ensure adequate stability of the excavation.
(7) Rescue teams should be encouraged to consult with both workers on site and WorkCover representatives, as their practical experience may be invaluable. This does not mean that the rescue team is handing over control to the site workers, but giving due consideration to their advice creates harmony and may assist the rescue efforts.
(8) A training video covering all aspects of trench rescue (including how not to carry out a rescue) be produced, possibly funded by the WorkCover Authority or the various bodies involved in trench rescue, that can be used as a training tool for all emergency organisations throughout Victoria.
(9) That the WorkCover Safety Alert for Pile-hole Guards be periodically distributed throughout the construction industry and its recommendations enforced to try to ensure that such an incident does not re-occur.
(10) That MFESB give consideration to establishing a specialist Trench Rescue Unit.