At approximately 2:30 p.m. on April 1, 2010, Employee #1, Employee #2 (leadman) and Employee #3 were preparing product involving the use of fermented molasses as one of the ingredients. The workers were having problems moving the molasses from tank #2 to tank #1. According to the employer, he told Employee #2 via telephone, to add water to the molasses to bring it to a level where the container contents could be transferred to tank #1. Due to the low volume of fermented molasses in tank #2, Employee #1 entered and was descending a rope ladder into the storage tank to attempt to push the molasses through the piping into tank #1. While descending the ladder, Employee #1 fell or slipped off the ladder, falling to the bottom of the tank. Employee #2 heard Employee #1 fall and went on top of the tank to see what happened. Employee #2 called for assistance via 911, and then entered the tank to attempt to rescue Employee #1 when he collapsed, falling into the tank. Employee #3 heard Employee #2 drop into the tank and went to the top of the tank. Employee #3 began to enter the tank through the top, but stopped because he was not sure how he would get Employees #1 and #2 out through the manhole. Employee #3 climbed down off the tank and found an electric saw. Employee #3 cut a hole in the bottom side of the tank and entered the tank. While trying to pull one of the two Employees out, Employee #3 was overcome and passed out, falling to the outside of the tank.
