Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 200714152 - Two Employees Are Overcome by Fumes, One Later Dies

Accident Summary Nr: 200714152 -- Report ID: 0636900 -- Event Date: 06/28/2011
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
314279431	07/01/2011	1623	237110	Granbury Contracting & Utilities Inc.

Abstract: On June 28, 2011, two employees of Granbury Contracting and Utility were evaluating a sewer lift station, under the contract with the City of Gordon, TX. Employee #1 entered the sewer and descended to the bottom of the 18 to 20 foot drain below. Employee #1 penetrated a sewer pipe which reportedly released liquid sewage and possibly methane gas into the hole. Employee #1 attempted to ascend the ladder and he fell and collapsed at the bottom of the hole. Employee #2, descended into the manhole down the ladder to check on Employee #1 when he smelled the gas, turned around and tried to get out of the manhole using the ladder when he became unconscious. Employee # 1 and Employee # 2 were removed from the manhole by Palo Pinto County Fire and Rescue and transferred to JPS Medical Center in Fort Worth. Employee #1 was pronounced dead upon arrival to the medical center and Employee #2 remained in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the facility.

Keywords: UNCONSCIOUSNESS, CONSTRUCTION, NATURAL GAS, PIPELINE, FALL, OVEREXPOSURE, SEWAGE

Accident Details
End Use		Project Type		Project Cost	Stories	Non-building Height	Fatality
Sewer/water treatment plant		New project or new addition		$50,000 to $250,000			X

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Age	Sex	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation	Construction
1	314279431			Fatality	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported	Distance of Fall: feet Worker Height Above Ground/Floor: feet Cause: Installing culverts and incidental drainage Fatality Cause: Asphyxiation/inhalation of toxic vapor

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