Insufficiently secured or own fault?

At least that's what I think - it could also all be wrong. But you won't get absolution from the forum here - even if it would certainly be easier on the nerves ;).

I fully agree with that....

In this case, however, the site manager only coordinates his own trades (those of the contracted construction company)... shell construction, windows, screed. Interior plaster, insulation, facade, painting, drywall.... but the shaft was created by a civil engineer on behalf of the water association...

Correct. But there is something else – namely his duty of care towards the craftsmen. If he had asked the civil engineer or at least reminded you to ask the civil engineer to better secure the inspection shaft, the accident might not have happened.

But that’s one of those things with "would have," "if," and "but".... ;)

In the end, it doesn’t matter, one insurance will have to cover the damage caused; there are four to choose from. It would only be desirable that the construction worker not also get the short end of the stick regarding hospital costs and loss of earnings.

Rhineland greetings

What is your opinion on this?

As far as I have observed, occupational safety plays a rather minor role on most single-family house construction sites. It’s a miracle that not more happens...

Does anyone believe the excavator would have complied with the request to properly fence off the shaft ("we've always done it that way")? Who fenced off their construction site here? Are all ladders on your scaffolding folded up on weekends? Are all hatches on the scaffolding normally closed (during work)? Is the construction site always tidy, with no trip hazards? Is there a requirement to wear helmets and safety shoes, is this monitored and enforced (including by the client)? What about other personal protective equipment, e.g. goggles when sawing/cutting stone? Hearing protection? Does the construction staircase have a handrail and fall protection? Those are just the points that come to mind spontaneously...

(I am glad that, as a non-builder, I am legally out of it, even though I do not agree with the actual conditions on my construction site. But in my opinion, one must also recognize when one is fighting against windmills and then rather focus on one’s own problems. Occupational safety on construction sites should then be advanced by the construction workers.)

So I called my civil engineer back to the construction site after he had finished his work, taken his construction fence, and left an unprotected fall hazard of 3m at the edge of the basement ceiling ;)

Hello Basti

I have a few questions about the two plates with which the shaft was covered.

How large were they?

What thickness did they have?

What material were they made of?

Crash site with 3m

If you mean a 3 m deep abyss -- even the most insensitive construction worker should understand that you can't just leave it like that; at the latest the site manager. What about the other points I mentioned on your construction site? All good?