Two companies and a self employed contracts manager have been sentenced after a worker was killed when an unsupported trench collapsed at a construction site in Surrey.
Gheorghita Arsene, 33, known as Geo, was working at a site on Park Road, Banstead, in June 2020 when approximately two tonnes of soil collapsed onto him.
Despite rescue attempts, Mr Arsene died at the scene.
Worker buried by collapsed trench
Mr Arsene had been working to replace a damaged pipe at the bottom of a deep trench that had been excavated using a three tonne digger.
He was clearing soil using a shovel and pickaxe when the walls of the excavation collapsed without warning.
A joint investigation by Surrey Police and the Health and Safety Executive, conducted over five years, found that the trench did not have supports in place.
Investigators also found that excavated soil had been deposited immediately next to the trench.
Contracts manager knew controls required
The investigation found that Anthony O’Connor, a self employed contracts manager working for T Vaughan Limited, had observed another worker inside the same unsupported excavation earlier on the day of the fatal incident.
As an experienced contracts manager, O’Connor was aware that appropriate measures were required to prevent the trench from collapsing but failed to ensure they were implemented.
Companies convicted following trial
Following a trial at the Old Bailey on 9 September, principal contractor Appledorn Developments Limited and subcontractor T Vaughan Limited were convicted of breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
T Vaughan Limited was fined £650,000 and ordered to pay £40,000 in costs.
Appledorn Developments Limited was fined £500,000.
Contracts manager receives suspended sentence
O’Connor had previously pleaded guilty on 22 May 2026 to breaching Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
The offence related to his failure to take reasonable care for the health and safety of others who could have been affected by his acts or omissions at work.
He was sentenced to ten months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.
A Health and Safety Executive spokesperson said: “Gheorghita Arsene’s death was as horrifying as it was preventable.
“He lost his life because basic precautions were not in place to protect workers from the well-known risks that come with excavation work.
“Anthony O’Connor had observed workers in the trench without adequate protection and was aware of the measures required to prevent a collapse.
“This case is a stark reminder that when basic safety standards are ignored, the consequences can be fatal. Companies and individuals alike have legal duties to protect workers and where they fail to do so, and we will not hesitate to take enforcement action.
“Our thoughts today are with Mr Arsene’s loved ones, as they mourn their loss.”
