UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

At approximately 1:30 p.m. on August 4, 2004, Employee #1 was grouting the seams in a newly constructed sewer manhole that was about 16.5-feet deep. About an hour later, Employee #1 was found lying at the bottom of the manhole with most of the grouting completed. Emergency services were contacted and the local fire department responded to the accident. Employee #1 was pronounced dead due to asphyxia. During the accident investigation, it was revealed that the manhole had failed a vacuum test approximately one week earlier and according to the fire department's report, the oxygen levels near the bottom of the manhole measured levels of 17 and 16.3, using a Draeger Mini-Wam and Area Rae tester. Additionally, air samples taken by OSHA on August 13, 2004, indicated similar results. At the time of the incident and during air sampling, the plug inserts for the vacuum test equipment were in place at the bottom of the manhole to cover the newly laid sewer pipe which was connected to the manhole.