Agoracom

On November 2, 2007 four Superior, Wisconsin workers were found dead in a confined space. This is the second time I've blogged on confined space deaths associated with asphyxiation. (See Iowa Workers' Compensation - Death caused by sewer gas. December 14, 2007. ) Four workers from Superior, Wisconsin were overcome by toxic vapors after entering a manhole to unplug a blockage in the village. Often times smelling like rotten eggs hydrogen sulfide in high enough concentrations can be odorless and deadly. Workers need to know that hydrogen sulfide is heavier than air and can remain below ground even while air escapes.

What is unfortunate about this incident is that it's avoidable if proper procedures for entering confined spaces are followed.

In these situations there are well known risks neither identified nor avoided.

Risk #1 The Company in charge of the site needs to formally communicate to the workers the identified hazards and proper safety procedures. This has to happen before work begins. (OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146 (c) (8-9)).

Risk #2 Employers must ensure that all components of a comprehensive confined space entry program are communicated to all workers and enforced. These rules can be read in NIOSH publications 80-106 (Working in Confined Spaces) and 87-113 (A Guide to Safety in Confined Spaces), and they must comply with OSHA Standard 1910-146 (General Industry) or 1926-21b (Construction).

Risk #3 Respirators are a required piece of safety equipment that must be used and the employer needs to enforce the use. (See OSHA requirement 29 CFR 1910.134 (c)(1)).

Risk #4 For all the reasons the original workers should not enter the sewer pipe.

These risks are so well known that I wonder if it's not gross negligence for an employer to send workers in without the proper training. In Iowa a wrongful death claim outside of a workers' compensation statute may be actionable.