Inspection Detail

Inspection: 1132150.015 - 69950 - Utility Group Of South Carolina Llc

Inspection Information - Office: Sc Department Of Labor, Licensing, And Regulation

Investigation Summary

At 12:00 a.m. on February 25, 2016, employee #1 of Utility Group of South Carolina lifted a debris tank from the back of a 1995 Ford Vac truck, model #L8000, to repair an area underneath the tank. The truck was used to vacuum the sewage out of the sewage lines for inspection. There were rusted out holes in the end of the tank closet to the cab of the truck. Employee #1 used a sawzall to cut the tank to replace the section. Prior to leaving for lunch, employee #1 and another employee lifted the tank using the hydraulic lever controls located on the side of the truck near the cab on the driver's side. Employee #1 informed employee #2 that the hydraulic hoses to the tank were bad and leaking. The truck was leaking hydraulic fluid before the two employees went to lunch. Employee #1 was on the back of the truck between the debris tank and the cab, working on the hydraulic hoses. Employee #2 heard a hissing sound coming from the bay area and Employee #1 immediately screamed for help. Employee #1 was pinned between the debris tank and the cab on the back of the Vac truck. Employee #1 was on his hands and knees and the debris tank was on his side. The controls would not work to lift the tank off of employee #1. In order for the controls to be operational, the truck must be on at the time. When the other employee turned the truck on, the controls still did not work. Employee #1 died from asphyxiation due to a crushing injury to his chest.

Keywords: Asphyxiated, Blocks, Caught Between, Chest, Crushed, Maintenance, Vehicle