Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 200801330 - Two Employees Die from Asphyxia in Confined Space

Accident Summary Nr: 200801330 -- Report ID: 0523300 -- Event Date: 06/17/2005
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
308380864	06/20/2005	1794	238910	B & L Excavating, Inc.

Abstract: On June 17, 2005, Employees #1 and #2 entered a 10-ft 6-in. manhole to perform testing, prior to hooking onto the live sewer line. They wanted to ensure that there were no leaks. The testing required confined space procedures. Employees #1 and #2 entered the space without permit. No harness, tripod or winch was used. In addition, the air quality was not tested. Employees #1 and #2 were asphyxiated and medflighted to the hospital. Employee #1 died on June 17, 2005, and Employee #2 died on June 20, 2005. The hospital records indicated that the oxygen level of Employee #2 was 35-40.

Keywords: LEAK, OXYGEN, ASPHYXIATED, INSTALLING, CONFINED SPACE, CONSTRUCTION, INHALATION, GAS, MANHOLE

Accident Details
End Use		Project Type		Project Cost	Stories	Non-building Height	Fatality
Sewer/water treatment plant		New project or new addition		$500,000 to $1,000,000		10	X

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Age	Sex	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation	Construction
1	308380864			Fatality	Asphyxia	Construction laborers	Distance of Fall: feet Worker Height Above Ground/Floor: feet Cause: Installing culverts and incidental drainage Fatality Cause: Asphyxiation/inhalation of toxic vapor
2	308380864			Fatality	Asphyxia	Managers and administrators, n.e.c	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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