Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 168056.015 - Employee dies from oxygen-deficient atmosphere in manhole

Accident Summary Nr: 168056.015 -- Report ID: 0728500 -- Event Date: 07/13/2024
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
1760193.015	07/08/2024		238910	Global Earthworks + Underground Llc

Abstract: At 5:00 p.m. on July 13, 2024, Employee #1 entered a manhole to tape piping in preparation for pouring concrete inverts. Shortly after entry, a coworker, stationed topside, observed that Employee #1 appeared pale and was sweating profusely. When asked, Employee #1 indicated difficulty breathing. As Employee #1 attempted to climb the steps to exit the manhole, he experienced a medical incident, lost consciousness, and fell back to the bottom of the manhole. Investigations revealed the presence of an oxygen-deficient environment likely due to carbon dioxide and other oxygen-displacing gases. The fall caused secondary complications, including submersion in water at the bottom of the manhole.

Keywords: Asphyxiated, Carbon Dioxide, Climbing, Concrete, Confined Space, Fall, Fall From Elevation, Lack of oxygen, Manhole, Oxygen, Oxygen Deficiency, Shortness of breath, Step, Unconsciousness, Unresponsive, Water

Accident Details
End Use		Project Type		Project Cost	Stories	Non-building Height	Fatality
Multi-family dwelling		New project or new addition					X

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Age	Sex	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Construction
1	1760193.015	39	M	Fatality		Distance of Fall: feet Worker Height Above Ground/Floor: feet Cause: Installing underground plumbing conduit Fatality Cause:

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