Example of a Confined-Space Emergency

On September 15, 1986, the victim and two other workers were planning to install a sewer line from a building to the main sewer line in the street at a construction site. The sewer vault was entered through a manhole in the middle of the street. The manhole was 2 feet in diameter and 15 feet deep.

In an effort to measure the length of the sewer line snub, the victim entered the manhole and descended a fixed ladder to the bottom. The sewer line snub extended from the vault, 15 feet towards the construction site. Upon reaching the bottom of the sewer he complained of a strong odor and then passed out. The other two workers that remained outside entered the manhole attempted to rescue the victim.

However, before they could reach the victim, they both became dizzy and exited the manhole. Several unsuccessful rescue attempts by the co-workers delayed notification of the fire department rescue squad for approximately 20 minutes. Once the rescue squad was notified, it arrived in 5 minutes. Rescue squad personnel entered the sewer using self-contained breathing apparatus, life lines, and other personal protective equipment. The victim was removed approximately 8 minutes after arrival of the rescue squad. Attempts to resuscitate the victim were unsuccessful. The victim was then transported to the local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

CONCLUSIONS

The above described employees were not trained in confined space entry, and as a result did not realize that the manhole was a confined space and was a hazardous place to enter. The victim did not test the air conditions before entry, did not complete a entry permit, did not use a blower motor to ventilate the area, and no rescue equipment was available to retrieve the victim from the space. In addition, the workers outside the space did not immediately call the rescue squad and wrongly attempt rescue of the victim.

After reading the above described scenario you can see why it is so important to test the air in a confined space before you enter and to properly complete and follow the instructions on an entry permit. Also, in the above described situation, the tow worker who entered the space in a rescue attempt could have easily become victim .

Again, NEVER ENTER A CONFINED SPACE TO RESCUE AN INJURED CO-WORKER.

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