http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2011/coi-sco-05211.htm This may be a good topic to discuss as to responsibilities with regards to H&S, in this case the supervisor was found guilty and not the employer!

I'm not sure how this sits with me. I look at it from two angles. Trench boxes were on site but was the Foreman trained in installing them. Was there appropriate lifting equipment on site to position them. Was the Foreman under pressure to get the job done. Had the company actually assessed the Foremans competence, from my experience jobs of this type are usually to given to someone on recommendation or on the basis of who you know, not what you know. If it is clear that all the above criteria were in place and the foreman was basically cutting corners then it can only be a good thing, I for one will use this case in future training. OK the fine was paltry considering a man died but the stigma of being held responsible for the death of a co-worker would surely make most think twice before choosing the easy option.

Useful in any supervisor/manager training scenario, I would think, despite the relevance to construction of this tragic case.