ACCIDENT SUMMARY - Asphyxiation
| Weather Conditions: | Warm |  |
| Type of Operation: | Boring, Jacking | |
| Size of Work Crew: | 6 | |
| Collective Bargaining | No | |
| Competent Safety Monitor on Site: | No | |
| Safety and Health Program in Effect: | No | |
| Was the Work site Inspected Regularly: | No | |
| Training and Education Provided: | No | |
| Employee Job Title: | Laborer | |
| Age & Sex: | 23-Male | |
| Experience at this Type of Work: | 1 Day | |
| Time on Project: | 1 Hour |
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT
An employee sitting in a looped chain was lowered approximately 17 feet into a 21-foot deep manhole. Twenty seconds later he started gasping for air and fell from the chain seat face down into the accumulated water at the bottom of the manhole. An autopsy determined oxygen deficiency as the cause of death.
ACCIDENT PREVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS
- Instruct employees to recognize and avoid unsafe conditions associated with their work environment (29 CFR 1926.21(b)(2)).
- Instruction employees on hazards involved in entering confined or enclosed spaces (29 CFR 1926.21(b)(6)(i) and (b)(6)(ii)).
- Provide and require employees to use appropriate respiratory protection (29 CFR 1926.103(a)(1) and 1910.134.
SOURCES OF HELP
- Construction Safety and Health Standards (OSHA 2207) which contains all OSHA job safety and health rules and regulations (1926 and 1910) covering construction.
- OSHA-funded free consultation services. Consult your telephone directory for the number of your local OSHA area or regional office for further assistance and advice (listed under U.S. Labor Department or under the state government section where states administer their own OSHA programs).
NOTE: The case here described was selected as being representative of fatalities caused by improper work practices. No special emphasis or priority is implied nor is the case necessarily a recent occurrence. The legal aspects of the incident have been resolved, and the case is now closed.
