This is another example of entrants not recognizing the space they are entering is a CONFINED SPACE and the actions/work they did turned the confined space into a PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE. Both entrants died and two (2) volunteer FF’s were injured in their attempts to perform rescues at this residential incident.
On May 26, 2010, @ approximately 8:15 pm, worker #1, a licensed plumber, and worker #2, the plumber’s future son-in-law assisting with the work, were changing out a pump inside a 12-foot deep by 5-foot diameter well pit at a residence as a favor to the homeowner. The good pit is a brick-lined, hand-dug well dating back 100 to 120 years, initially powered by a wooden windmill but adapted to a deep well pump system. The old pump had not been used in 10 to 12 years and was rusted in place inside the well casing.
Worker #1 accessed the well pit with an extension ladder and poured up to 3.75 gallons of muriatic acid into the casing to dissolve the rust, exited the pit, and waited several hours before entering the pit again to attempt to remove the pump. Worker #1 collapsed due to a lack of oxygen or because he was overcome by vapors that had built up inside the well.
Worker #2 was working at the top of the well, entered the well to assist Worker #1 and collapsed. The homeowner called 911.
Within minutes a 32 year veteran firefighter arrived in his personal vehicle and became the third victim when he entered the well, attempted to climb back out and then collapsed after falling off the ladder back into the well pit.
Shortly after, another Firefighter (6-year veteran) arrived in his personal vehicle and…
