Inspection Detail

Inspection: 316847813 - Bravo Underground, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Nv-E-Las Vegas 0953220

Investigation Summary

At approximately 6:45 a.m. on September 26, 2013, Employee #1, with Bravo Underground, Inc., and a coworker, were unloading manhole components, consisting of two cement pieces, which were laid on top of the drain box. Depending on the depth of the road, they could be from one ft to four ft high. Employee #1 used a chain to connect the components to the bucket of the excavator, and then the coworker lowered the pieces onto the drain box. When the components got close to the drain box, Employee #1, and a second coworker, guided the components onto the top of the drain box. Until the components were guided onto the top of the drain box, there was a four ft open hole which went down about 11.5 ft to the bottom of the drain box. Employee #1 was connecting the components to the excavator. When Employee #1 went back to guide the components, his coworkers lost sight of him. When a coworker realized that Employee #1 was not in view, the coworker got out of his equipment and went over to the drain box. The coworker noticed that the pallet was shifted, and he looked down the hole and saw Employee #1 at the bottom. The coworker then called his foreman, who then called Emergency Services (911). When Emergency Services arrived, they performed a Confined Space rescue and airlifted Employee #1 to the hospital, where Employee #1 was treated for head, neck, and back injuries.

Keywords: EXCAVATION, FRACTURE, MANHOLE COVER, SPINE, DRAIN PIPE, EXCAVATOR, FALL, PALLET, MANHOLE