Althouse: "The Stygian gloom of a putrid, manhole-size, 18-foot-deep well."

June 30, 2009

"The Stygian gloom of a putrid, manhole-size, 18-foot-deep well."

Where 3 men fell and died yesterday.

14 comments:

Unknown said...: Hall and Oates warned us about NY ...she's a man-eater.; 6/30/09, 9:47 AM
MadisonMan said...: I wonder if I would have the presence of mind in that situation to avoid descending into the death trap. I suppose it would depend on the amount of training one is given.

What a horrible day for the families of the three.; 6/30/09, 9:48 AM
אלוהים said...: one after the other into that death trap...

tragic.; 6/30/09, 10:07 AM
Automatic_Wing said...: Very unfortunate, and really the cleaning contractor is at fault for not properly equipping his employees. Regardless of what you "think" you know about a confined space, the air should always be tested before sending anyone in.; 6/30/09, 10:13 AM
chuck b. said...: The nasty thing about hydrogen sulfide (besides the rotten egg smell) is that you stop smelling it after a few minutes, and think that it has dissipated. Meanwhile, you're suffocating because the air is full of hydrogen sulfide and you aren't getting enough oxygen.; 6/30/09, 10:16 AM
bearbee said...: I am guessing that if they were experienced with toxic material removal that they would have recognized the situation and been prepared with various OSHA-type protective gear.

Property owner of a recycling company should have recognized the situation and called the appropriate service.

The situation should not have happened.; 6/30/09, 10:36 AM
Laura(southernxyl) said...: Ten seconds or less:

Regulations (Standards - 29 CFR)
Permit-required confined spaces - 1910.146

Totally preventable, and very sad.; 6/30/09, 11:59 AM
Laura(southernxyl) said...: That is, 10 seconds or less to find the appropriate regs. And I'm not even a safety person.; 6/30/09, 11:59 AM
Rick M said...: Historically almost 2 out of 3 people who die in confined spaces are would-be rescue workers!; 6/30/09, 12:46 PM
Anonymous said...: What happened here is that one man got trapped in the well and then his father, the owner of the well-cleaning company, went in after him and got trapped himself.

Peter; 6/30/09, 12:52 PM
Howard said...: This type of incident is always taught at all HAZWOPHER 40-hour and 8-hour refresher courses. I am confidant that all three were trained NOT to go in. It is not a matter of training, adherence to regulations or employment of the proper gear as those who sit behind desks comfort themselves with 20-20 hindsight blather about as they mask their own cowardly inadequacy.

These all too common incidents are more a function of human emotion and devotion to a friend or partner. People who work in life threatening and $hitty jobs are a band of brothers (women and girly men avoid these fields). No one really knows in their heart of hearts if they have the cold steel discipline to not rescue your buddy passed out in a confined space. It always seems that it takes three to die before folks stop going in.

I pray for my brothers and hope their sacrifice saves a few more poor slobs from the same fate.; 6/30/09, 1:26 PM
TWM said...: Meaningful OSHA penalties for this kind of stuff are almost non-existent, but there's a possible criminal knowing endangerment charge there under either RCRA or CAA. Not sure which would apply.; 6/30/09, 7:22 PM
Laura(southernxyl) said...: I will have to tell the guys at my workplace that they are girly men if they wait for the confined space permits before they enter tanks. Or presumably if they wear their hardhats or safety glasses. That will go over.; 6/30/09, 9:05 PM
Methadras said...: New York Shitty!!!; 7/1/09, 7:52 PM