Inspection Detail

Inspection: 106445422 - Massee Builders, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Savannah Area Office

Investigation Summary

Employee #2 entered an underground pit through a manhole at the termination of a water utility conduit system. The system was undergoing a tracer gas leak test using an argon/methane gas mixture, but Employee #2 was unaware of this and entered the pit to replace a drain plug on the conduit. He was about to install the plug when he passed out. Employee #1, after witnessing this from the top of the manhole, alerted Employees #6 and #7, entered the pit to rescue Employee #2, and passed out. Employee #7 radioed the contractor's office for help. Employee #3 arrived at the pit site and entered the pit through the manhole to attempt a rescue. He was only able to pull Employee #1's face out of the water in the pit before he almost passed out and was helped up the ladder by employees #4 and #5. Employee #4 grabbed a rope and entered the pit. He tied the rope around Employee #2; employees at ground level hoisted him to the surface. Employee #1 was retrieved the same way. CPR was initiated and Employees #1 and #2 were transported to the hospital, where Employee #1 was pronounced dead.

Keywords: CPR, NATURAL GAS, WATER, UNCONSCIOUSNESS, WORK RULES, MANHOLE, CONFINED SPACE, CONSTRUCTION, PIT, COMMUNICATION