Inspection Detail

Inspection: 109580233 - Geeding Construction

Inspection Information - Office: Saint Louis Area Office

Investigation Summary

On November 8, 1993, Employee #1, a diver, was part of a 3-man dive team, which also included the person in charge and the tender (who guides the diver). They were performing a surface-supplied air diving operation to a depth of 10 ft in a 40 ft deep river. They were to retrieve a bridle that had been used for moving a dredge pipe across the river. Employee #1 was moved downstream by the current and was provided an extra 30 ft of line. The temperature was 59 degrees Fahrenheit and the wind was 10 to15 knots. At approximately 2:00 p.m., Employee #1 tried to get out of the water but was prevented by the entangled line. Employee #1 did not carry a dive knife and there was no means for exiting the water or for others to assist him. On instructions from the person in charge, Employee #1 dropped his weight belts. He put his right hand and leg on the side of the boat but could not be pulled into the boat because the dredge pipe on which the line was entangled moved at each attempt. The tender cut the line, pried loose the umbilical, and pulled the employee into the boat with help from the crew of another boat. CPR was performed on the unresponsive diver. He was taken ashore and flown to a hospital. Employee #1 died.

Keywords: CPR, RIVER, ENTANGLED, AIR LINE, WORK RULES, CONSTRUCTION, DROWN, DIVER