Two water and sewage treatment plant operators, one a 49-year-old and the other a 21-year-old, died when they entered a permit-required-confined space and could not exit safely. Three employees and one supervisor were assigned to replace a bracket on a pump inside an underground pump station. The pump station measured nine feet in diameter by 15-25 feet in depth. The supervisor entered the pump station earlier in the day to determine what repairs were needed. They all three returned to the shop to get the proper parts. When they returned to the pump station, the supervisor once again entered the station to replace the bracket. While in the permit-required-confined space, he experienced physical problems and could not climb the ladder to exit the space. The other victim then entered the space to assist the supervisor. He experienced similar problems and could not exit. Both victims fell into and beneath the liquid sewage and drowned. The third employee did not attempt entry. No atmospheric conditions were identified that could have overcome both employees, but that remains a possibility. During the investigation, violations of TOSHA standards unrelated to the fatalities were also discovered.
Drowning in PRCS (TN-OSHA #24-2008)
