OSHA Accident Investigation · Summary #606269

OXYGEN DEFICIENCY,SEWER,CONFINED SPACE,FLAMMABLE VAPORS,WORK RULES,AIR MONITORING,MANHOLE

1986-09-15T00:00:00

Event: OXYGEN DEFICIENCY,SEWER,CONFINED SPACE,FLAMMABLE VAPORS,WORK RULES,AIR MONITORING,MANHOLE
Linked inspection: No inspection record linked to this accident's victims.
Summary number: 606269
Report ID: 418100

Event description

EMPLOYEE DIED IN OXYGEN-DEFICIENT SEWER MANHOLE

Investigation abstract

ON SEPTEMBER 15, 1986, A PLUMBING CONTRACTOR AND TWO EMPLOYEES WERE LAYING OUT A NEW SEWER LINE. THE OWNER (EMPLOYEE #1) ENTERED A SEWER MANHOLE TO MEASURE THE STUB-OUT. THE MANHOLE WAS ABOUT 15 FEET DEEP. ATMOSPHERIC TESTS TAKEN AFTER THE EMPLOYEE WAS REMOVED SHOWED 20% LEL OF COMBUSTIBLE GAS AND 6% OXYGEN IN THE MANH OLE.

Victim

#1 Fatality Age 37 M

Nature of injury
2

Part of body
31

Event type
8

Source
19

Occupation code
999

Human factor
16

Environmental factor
7

Hazardous substance
0700

Task assigned
2

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