Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 200674083 - Two employees die of hydrogen sulfide exposure in manhole

Accident Summary Nr: 200674083 -- Report ID: 0418800 -- Event Date: 10/10/2002
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
305501645	10/10/2002	1731	238210	Electrical Technologies Corporation

Abstract: On October 10, 2002, Employees #1 and #2 and two coworkers, of the Electrical Technologies Corporation, were installing PVC pipes in a trench to run cable through it. This duct would then connect to the 10 ft deep by 3 ft 3 in. wide manhole located nearby. Water from the manhole was seeping into the trench through the window outlets that connected the two, and the crew decided to use a pump to purge the water from the manhole. The manhole opening was located 5 ft away, but the trench was dug up to the point of the manhole walls. Employee #2 entered the manhole to unclog the pump hose when he became overwhelmed by the atmospheric conditions and fell, face down, in the water. Employee #1, the foreman, went in to rescue him and also loss consciousness. When one of the coworkers tried to help them, he became dizzy and immediately exited the manhole. Employees #1 and #2 died of hydrogen sulfide exposure and were pronounced dead at the scene. The fire department took readings of the atmosphere and purged the manhole prior to sending in its rescue crew.

Keywords: UNCONSCIOUSNESS, VAPOR, HYDROGEN SULFIDE, WORK RULES, CONSTRUCTION, INHALATION, CHEMICAL VAPOR, MANHOLE, OVEREXPOSURE, CHEMICAL

Accident Details
End Use		Project Type		Project Cost	Stories	Non-building Height	Fatality
Excavation, landfill		Alteration or rehabilitation		Under $50,000			X

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Age	Sex	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation	Construction
1	305501645			Fatality	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported	Distance of Fall: feet Worker Height Above Ground/Floor: feet Cause: Installing underground plumbing conduit Fatality Cause: Asphyxiation/inhalation of toxic vapor
2	305501645			Fatality	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported	Distance of Fall: feet Worker Height Above Ground/Floor: feet Cause: Installing underground plumbing conduit Fatality Cause: Asphyxiation/inhalation of toxic vapor

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