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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 315916288 - Unnerstall Contracting Co.
Inspection Information - Office: Saint Louis Area Office
Site Address:
Unnerstall Contracting Co.
1938 Western Cape Dr.
St. Louis, MO 63146
Mailing Address:
2803 W. Osage, Pacific, MO 63069
Union Status: Union
SIC:1623
NAICS: 237110/Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 12/28/2011
Planning Guide: Safety-Construction
Emphasis: L:Xfallelec, N:Trench, S:Electrical
Case Closed: 08/13/2012
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 100014455 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 8 | 1 | 1 | 10 | ||
| Current Violations | 9 | 1 | 10 | |||
| Initial Penalty | $39,200 | $35,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $74,200 |
| Current Penalty | $46,200 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $46,200 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001 | Serious | 19260021 B06 I | 03/29/2012 | 04/24/2012 | $4,900 | $4,900 | $0 | - | ||
| 2. | 01002 | Serious | 19100134 A02 | 03/29/2012 | 05/15/2012 | $4,900 | $4,900 | $0 | - | ||
| 3. | 01003 | Serious | 19100134 D01 III | 03/29/2012 | 05/15/2012 | $4,900 | $4,900 | $0 | - | ||
| 4. | 01004A | Serious | 19260416 A01 | 03/29/2012 | 04/24/2012 | $4,900 | $4,900 | $0 | - | ||
| 5. | 01004B | Serious | 19260600 A06 | 03/29/2012 | 04/24/2012 | $0 | $0 | $0 | - | ||
| 6. | 01005 | Serious | 19260651 B04 | 03/29/2012 | 04/24/2012 | $4,900 | $4,900 | $0 | - | ||
| 7. | 01006 | Serious | 19260651 J02 | 03/29/2012 | 04/24/2012 | $4,900 | $4,900 | $0 | - | ||
| 8. | 01007 | Serious | 19260652 A01 | 03/29/2012 | 04/24/2012 | $4,900 | $4,900 | $0 | - | ||
| 9. | 01008 | Serious | 19260652 C | 03/29/2012 | 04/24/2012 | $4,900 | $4,900 | $0 | - | ||
| 10. | 02001 | Serious | 5A0001 | 03/29/2012 | 05/15/2012 | $7,000 | $35,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 11. | 03001 | Other | 19040032 B01 | 03/29/2012 | 04/24/2012 | $0 | $0 | $0 | - |
Investigation Summary
On October 10, 2011, Employee #1, a foreman, was found unresponsive in a new sanitary sewer system. This portion of the system was new and had not been connected to the active sewer system. A laborer entered through a manhole to assist, believing that Employee #1 had fallen into the sewer. The laborer could not escape due to the conditions in the sewer. A third worker used a fan to blow fresh air into the sewer. The laborer was then able to escape. Employee #1 was removed later and pronounced dead of asphyxia at a hospital. Firefighters tested the atmosphere with a four-gas meter and found the oxygen level to be 19.1% after the third worker used the fan. OSHA tested the manhole the next day and the oxygen level had dropped to 16.5%. The oxygen level four days later was 7.7% and the carbon dioxide concentration was 65,000 ppm. OSHA performed additional air testing over several days and oxygen levels were as low as 7.1% and carbon dioxide concentration was as high as 98,000 ppm. The coroner's report stated that Employee #1 died from vitiated air. Soil gases from organic-rich soils likely migrated into the new portion of the sewer system.
Keywords: OXYGEN DEFICIENCY, SEWER, UNCONSCIOUSNESS, ASPHYXIATED, VAPOR, CONFINED SPACE, GAS, CARBON DIOXIDE, TOXIC FUMES, RESPIRATOR
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 315916288 | Fatality | Asphyxia | Supervisors, n.e.c. |