Three workers died at a transfer station in Queens last week in a confined space accident. The disposal facility hired a company to clean out a dry well. The company did not test the atmosphere in the 18 foot deep well before an employee went into it, and he did not have respiratory protection. This employee passed out, his father went into the well to save him, and then a transfer station employee tried to save them. All three men died. NSWMA sends condolences to the family and colleagues of the three victims of this horrible accident.
NSWMA members and others are strongly urged to make sure their employees receive proper training on confined space hazards. Learn more about this particular accident.
For more information about safety and OSHA compliance issues affecting
the solid waste and recycling industries, contact me.
After a near death accident in 1987 in the wastewater industry, I changed from being a “Utility Service Worker” to a safety coordinator for my agency and then an OSHA Compliance Officer for a good ten years. It saddens me to see people still loosing their lives in this hazardous work environment. There are good resources for creating a safe work environment in a confined space, from equipment to training, and of course the investment is worth it because we can not quantify so severe a loss as the three lives lost in this incident.
Having been personally close to this through my own accident, passing out when climbing a ladder in a manhole, my heart goes out to the loved ones, friends and family, who are struggling now! Words come up short to express the length and breadth of emotions for what I consider to be a tragic and needless loss. Please accept my condolences and my hope that you will weather this storm with your heads and hearts held up.
Perhaps the words of Psalm 23 and that of Revelation 21:3 and 4 can help.
Warmly yours in this time of great sorrow,
Linda C.