Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 149018.015 - Two employees are killed in hazardous atmosphere

Accident Summary Nr: 149018.015 -- Report ID: 0524530 -- Event Date: 08/19/2022
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
1616318.015	08/20/2022		238190	Pfund Construction Company, Inc.

Abstract: At 6:15 p.m. on August 19, 2022, two employees were digging a trench with a JCB 245XR Excavator for a storm sewer line that was located in the center of a new multi-residential housing complex that was under construction. The trench was approximately 29 feet long by 16 feet wide and 7 feet 6 inches deep. Both employees entered into a manhole section of an existing sanitation sewer line that was located approximately 6 feet from the trench. Both employees lost consciousness in the manhole section. The EHS service that attempted to conduct the rescue of the employees noted that the oxygen levels were at 12.1%. The employer had completed this sanitation sewer line prior to working on the storm sewer line. The employer did not have a means of testing the atmosphere in the manhole section, and the employees were not trained on OSHA requirements for working around and entry into confined spaces. Both employees died of asphyxiation.

Keywords: Asphyxiated, Atmosphere, Confined Space, Excavation, Excavator, Lack of oxygen, Lost consciousness, Manhole, Oxygen, Oxygen Deficiency, Toxic Atmosphere, Trench, Trench Digger

Accident Details
End Use		Project Type		Project Cost	Stories	Non-building Height	Fatality
Sewer/water treatment plant		New project or new addition				0	X

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Age	Sex	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation	Construction
1	1616318.015	19	M	Fatality		Construction laborers	Distance of Fall: feet Worker Height Above Ground/Floor: feet Cause: Installing underground plumbing conduit Fatality Cause:
2	1616318.015	22	M	Fatality		Construction laborers	Distance of Fall: feet Worker Height Above Ground/Floor: feet Cause: Installing underground plumbing conduit Fatality Cause:

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