Gordon’s Bay pipeline construction site closed after trench collapse

The City of Cape Town says an investigation is under way after three workers were trapped when a trench collapsed during the installation of a pipeline on the corner of Broadway Boulevard and Broadlands Road in Gordon’s Bay yesterday afternoon, Tuesday September 17.

Mayoral committee member for water and sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, said in a statement released after the incident, that of the three workers only one required extrication by emergency services and the workers were taken to a clinic for treatment.

“Our contractor was busy installing the rising sewer main along Broadway Boulevard in Gordon’s Bay, when a section of the trench collapsed – trapping three workers,” said Dr Badroodien.

He said all safety measures were adhered to on site. “These measures included the stepping and battering of the trench, as a necessary safety measure to prevent the structure from caving in.”

However, he said work on the site will only continue once the contractor has submitted a proposal for the implementation of additional safety measures.

Byron La Hoe, spokesperson for the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness, says the Western Cape Government Emergency Services received a call to attend to the scene of the incident at 4.05pm on Tuesday.

“EMS ambulances transported the three patients to Vergelegen Medi Clinic. They all have minor injuries,” says Mr La Hoe.

In an update to Bolander today, Wednesday September 18, Dr Badroodien said: “Two of the three workers were discharged last night, while the third worker is still admitted and is awaiting final evaluation.”