OSHA Accident Investigation · Summary #14464325
OXYGEN DEFICIENCY,RESPIRATORY,SEWER,CONFINED SPACE,WORK RULES,TOXIC ATMOSPHERE,CONSTRUCTION,INHALATION,MANHOLE,CARBON MONOXIDE
Event description
CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYEES DIED IN MANHOLE (TOXIC ATMOSPHERE)
Investigation abstract
EMPLOYEES #1 AND #2 WERE WORKING WITH TWO OTHER CREW MEMBERS CLEARING LAND FOR A YDROGEN SULFIDE, METHANE AND OXYGEN DEFICIENCY. SEWER PROJECT UNDERWAY IN THE VICINITY OF FAIRFIELD AVENUE. THE EMPLOYEES WERE INSTALLING A SEWER LINE UNDER THE ST. MARY'S RIVER TO CONNECT THE SEWER LINE ON THE WEST BANK TO THE LINE ON THE EAST BANK. THE TWO EMPLOYEES LEFT THE OTHERS WI THOUT EXPLAINING WHERE THEY WERE GOING. AFTER LUNCH (ABOUT 12 NOON) THE OTHER WO RKERS WENT LOOKING FOR THE TWO MISSING EMPLOYEES. AT APPROXIMATELY 1:30 PM EMPLO YEES #1 AND #2 WERE FOUND AT THE BOTTOM OF A 6 FEET DEEP MANHOLE. THEIR FACES WE RE SUBMERGED IN 8 TO 12 INCHES OF WATER. NO REASON WAS FOUND FOR THE TWO EMPLOYE ES TO HAVE BEEN IN THE MANHOLE. THEY DIED FROM THE EFFECTS OF CARBON MONOXIDE, H
Victims (2)
-
#1 Fatality Age 36 M
- Nature of injury
- 2
- Part of body
- 29
- Event type
- 8
- Source
- 19
- Occupation code
- 553
- Human factor
- 1
- Environmental factor
- 7
- Hazardous substance
- 0560
- Task assigned
- 2
-
#2 Fatality Age 50 M
- Nature of injury
- 2
- Part of body
- 29
- Event type
- 8
- Source
- 19
- Occupation code
- 59
- Human factor
- 1
- Environmental factor
- 7
- Hazardous substance
- 0560
- Task assigned
- 2
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