Structural incident on site: what to do now

Protect life first. Act in this order.

Excavation collapse

• Evacuate all persons from the excavation and surrounding area
• Call 999 if anyone is trapped - request fire and rescue (specialist urban search and rescue)
• Do NOT enter the collapsed excavation - secondary collapse is the greatest danger
• Cordon off the area to at least 2 metres beyond the edge of the excavation
• Check for damaged underground services (gas, electricity, water) - see utility strike response if services are affected

Structural instability or partial collapse

• Evacuate the building or structure and the surrounding exclusion zone
• Cordon off using barriers and warning signage - extend the cordon to at least the height of the structure in all directions
• Call 999 if there is risk to the public or adjacent buildings
• Do NOT re-enter to shore up or stabilise without a structural engineer's assessment
• Check whether adjacent structures, roads, or railway lines are affected

Temporary works failure

• Evacuate the area under and around the temporary works
• Do NOT attempt to re-prop or re-shore without the temporary works coordinator and designer
• Check whether the failure has affected the permanent structure
• Notify the temporary works coordinator immediately

Structural incidents on construction sites are reportable under RIDDOR 2013. You must report promptly - failure to report is a criminal offence.

Who to notify

• HSE: Report under RIDDOR. Deaths by phone immediately on 0345 300 9923. All other reportable incidents online at www.hse.gov.uk/riddor within 10 days
• The client: Immediately - they have CDM client duties
• The principal designer: The incident must be recorded in the health and safety file
• Your insurer: Notify as soon as practicable
• Local authority building control: If the incident involves a dangerous structure, the local authority may serve a dangerous structure notice

Do not attempt to make the area safe without a competent structural engineer. Any remedial work must be designed and supervised.

Before anyone re-enters the area

• A chartered structural engineer must inspect and confirm it is safe to approach
• Emergency propping or shoring must be designed, not improvised
• The exclusion zone must remain until the engineer signs off
• If adjacent structures are affected, notify their owners and the local authority
• If the incident is near a highway, notify the highway authority

HSE may investigate the incident. You should conduct your own internal investigation immediately, preserving all evidence.

Evidence to preserve

• Temporary works design calculations and check certificates
• Excavation inspection records (competent person daily inspections)
• Method statements and risk assessments for the work
• CDM construction phase plan
• LOLER thorough examination certificates for any plant involved
• Training and competence records for operatives
• Photographs and video of the scene before any clearance
• Ground investigation reports and geotechnical data

Potential consequences

• HSE prosecution: Unlimited fines under HSWA 1974. Corporate manslaughter charges if a death results from senior management failure
• CDM enforcement: Action against multiple duty holders - client, principal contractor, designer, and contractor may all face charges
• Prohibition notices: HSE can halt all work on site until satisfied that safety measures are adequate
• Civil claims: Injured workers and affected third parties may claim compensation