OSHA Accident Investigation · Summary #14445498
WASECA PLUMBING AND HEATING, INC.
WASECA, MN·
Event description
Employee's ear amputated in trench cave-in
Investigation abstract
Employee #1 was preparing a trench of unspecified length for a sewer line when t he wall on Employee #1's left side collapsed, burying him. Employee #1 was weari ng wire-rimmed glasses that, according to a surgeon, completely amputated his le ft ear. An independent backhoe operator dug out Employee #1, saving his life. Th e trench was between 5 ft 6 in. and 7 ft deep, and 7 ft wide at the top narrowin g to 3 ft wide at the bottom. It was neither shored nor sloped, as required by t able P-1 of Standard 1926.652 (b). Employee #1 was not wearing a hard hat
Victim
-
#1 Hospitalized Age 65 M
- Nature of injury
- 1
- Part of body
- 6
- Event type
- 1
- Source
- 42
- Occupation code
- 587
- Human factor
- 17
- Environmental factor
- 13
- Task assigned
- 1
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