Inspection Detail

Inspection: 312924186 - Rocky Plumbing

Inspection Information - Office: Houston South Area Office

Investigation Summary

On August 11, 2010, Employee #1, a newly hired day laborer, and Employee #2, another day laborer of Rocky Plumbing, were working in the excavation located at the intersection of Clifford Road and Steel Road in Alvin, Texas. Employee #1 went for some water. When he returned, he found employee #2 slumped over in the excavation. Employee # 1, along with the job foreman, pulled Employee #2 out of the excavation, and emergency services were called. Employee #2 was transported to Clear Lake Regional Medical Center, where he later died. During interviews with Employee #1 stated that there was no atmospheric testing or continuous monitoring while they were inside the excavation. The employer admitted that he did not conduct any testing of the area. He usually had an independent contractor conduct the testing for him, but apparently that had not been done at this site. The employees had not received any training in excavation work or hazardous atmospheres. The employer does not have any safety programs in place for his company. CSHO went to the site and collected air samples from the man hole that was put in by the employer and found that it did contain some H2S and an elevated LEL. The Medical Examiner's office ruled that Employee #1 died from Atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease. The Harris County Medical Examiner's Office did not test for H2S.

Keywords: HEART, HEART ATTACK, AIR MONITORING, INHALATION, CHEMICAL VAPOR, UNTRAINED