Worker entered sewer to rescue colleague but they both died, feds say. Company cited

Before two workers suffocated in an Oklahoma sewer, one of them had climbed into the “newly installed sewer manhole to conduct testing,” according to federal authorities.

The employee passed out, officials said, then one their co-workers followed them in to attempt a rescue.

The second employee also lost consciousness on June 14, and they both died of their injuries, according to a Dec. 7 news release from the U.S. Department of Labor.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration was called in to investigate the worker fatalities after officials said they both died due to a lack of oxygen.

Now OSHA has said the Arkansas construction contractor that employed both workers failed to keep them safe.

“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,” OSHA area director Steven Kirby said in the release.

Belt Construction Inc., based in Texarkana, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from McClatchy News on Dec. 7.

Investigators said the family-owned company failed to test the oxygen levels of the confined space before the workers went 20 feet below ground.

“OSHA investigators determined (Belt Construction Inc.) did not complete required planning before allowing workers to enter the space,” officials said. “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.”

The company was cited and faces $287,150 in penalties, according to the release. Belt Construction Inc. has 15 days from receipt of the citations and penalties to either comply, request a meeting with the OSHA area director or contest the findings.

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