Inspection Detail

Inspection: 1737084.015 - Liquid Engineering Corporation

Inspection Information - Office: Eau Claire Area Office

Investigation Summary

On March 23, 2024, an employee was utilizing surface supplied air diving equipment to clean sediment from the inside of an enclosed standpipe water tank with a 24-foot water depth. The estimated water temperature was 53.42 degrees Fahrenheit. Sediment cleaning was performed using a hand-held vacuum/scrubber attached to a 3-inch by 90-foot section of flexible vacuum pipe used inside of the tank. Employee #1 reported to the tender and team lead via helmet radio comms that he thought there may be a leak in the drysuit. The team lead advised Employee #1 to exit the water if he thought there was a leak, however, Employee #1 decided that everything was okay, and the dive was continued. Employee #1 later reported that he felt cold but continued working. At approximately 4:50 p.m., less than one hour into the dive, Employee #1 again reported that he was cold, and the decision was made to have Employee #1 egress the tank so they could switch divers as Employee #1 was too cold to continue working. Employee #1 ascended from the tank bottom by climbing the umbilical. After reaching the surface, Employee #1 was unable to hold onto the egress ladder and due to fatigue, the weight of the diving gear and soft pipe, which became entangled in the umbilical, Employee #1 descended back to the tank bottom. The team lead and tender attempted to rescue Employee #1. The team leader then made the decision to call 911 to report a diver in the water and assistance was needed. It took four people (team leader and three EMS personnel) to pull Employee #1 from the water and up through the hatchway opening. After attempting on-scene life-saving measures, Employee #1 was pronounced dead at the scene. It was later determined that drowning was the primary cause of death.

Keywords: CPR, Cleaning, Commercial Diving, Diving, Drowning, Fatigue, Leak, Vacuuming, Water Tank