Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 201320439 - One Employee Is Killed, One Is Injured in Confined Space

Accident Summary Nr: 201320439 -- Report ID: 0317900 -- Event Date: 09/10/2002
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
305013773	09/10/2002	1799	562910	Dale Waterproofing Systems, Inc.

Abstract: On September 10, 2002, Employee #1 was spraying a solvent-based waterproofing material containing toluene, heptane, and naphtha on the interior walls of an approximately 30-inch wide by 5-foot long by 9-foot tall confined space under the stoop of a porch on the foundation of a house. When the employer arrived at the site, he discovered Employee #1 standing in the bottom of the hole in a stupor and unresponsive. The employer went to call emergency services and Employee #2 entered the space to try and rescue his coworker, but he was also overcome. Employee #1 died of toxic chemical asphyxia, leading to respiratory arrest. Employee #2 was rescued and hospitalized. Neither worker had been trained in confined space practices nor had appropriate air-supplied respiratory protection been provided.

Keywords: ASPHYXIATED, CONFINED SPACE, TOXIC ATMOSPHERE, CONSTRUCTION, INHALATION, NAPHTHA, TOLUENE, SCBA, HEPTANE, TOXIC FUMES

Accident Details
End Use		Project Type		Project Cost	Stories	Non-building Height	Fatality
Single family or duplex dwelling		Other		$500,000 to $1,000,000	20		X

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Age	Sex	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation	Construction
1	305013773			Fatality	Asphyxia	Construction laborers	Distance of Fall: feet Worker Height Above Ground/Floor: feet Cause: Waterproofing Fatality Cause: Asphyxiation/inhalation of toxic vapor
2	305013773			Hospitalized injury	Asphyxia	Construction laborers	Distance of Fall: feet Worker Height Above Ground/Floor: feet Cause: Waterproofing Fatality Cause: Asphyxiation/inhalation of toxic vapor

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