Contractor Fails to Test Oxygen Levels, Two Workers Die: OSHA

Belt Construction failed to test oxygen levels on a sewer project before two workers entered a sewer 20 feet below ground, according to an investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. As a result, according to OSHA, the two workers died due to lack of oxygen. The incident happened in Edmund, Arkansas, on June 14, 2022. According to the investigation, an employee climbed into a newly installed sewer manhole to conduct testing when they lost consciousness. Trying to rescue the worker, a second employee followed into the manhole and lost consciousness. Both workers later succumbed to their injuries. OSHA investigators determined the Texarkana, Arkansas, company did not complete required planning before allowing workers to enter the space. In pre-entry planning, a confined space must be tested for safety, including finding out if ventilation is needed. Belt Construction also failed to provide rescue equipment and did not train workers on confined space entry procedures or obtain permits required by federal law, according to OSHA. OSHA cited the company for six serious and two willful violations and proposed $287,150 in penalties. “Two lives were lost—and family, friends and co-workers are left to grieve—because Belt Construction Inc. failed to follow legally required steps designed to prevent a needless incident like this from happening,” said Steven Kirby, OSHA area director in Oklahoma City, in a statement. Source: OSHA