Late last year, a worker lowered into a 50-foot drainage shaft fell to his death on a California worksite—because the general contractor and the subcontractor on the job did not follow permit-required confined space procedures.

As a result, Cal/OSHA cited subcontractor D&D Construction nearly $340,000 for more than a dozen violations. These included the company’s failure to ensure safe entry into the confined space; have an effective method to rescue the worker in the confined space; and test the environment to determine if additional PPE were necessary to work safely in the confined space.

Additionally, Cal/OSHA cited general contractor Tyler Development nearly $15,000 for five violations. These included the failure to evaluate the worksite for possible permit-required confined spaces and to ensure that the subcontractor met all requirements to comply with permit space programs.

The general contractor was constructing a single-family residence in the area of Bel Air. The company hired D&D Construction to install and service reinforced concrete posts on the property.

On Oct. 21, 2016, a D&D employee entered the concrete-lined, 4.5-foot-diameter drainage shaft to clean out mud and debris. In order to do this, he stood inside a bucket attached to a mini crawler crane with no personal PPE. Consequently, after descending 10 feet, he lost consciousness due to the lack of oxygen and fell 40 feet down. As a result, he drowned in one foot of water.

Across many industries, workers face risks related to working in confined spaces. In 2011, seven died in California in confined space-related incidents. In response to this, Cal/OSHA launched a confined space emphasis program to help educate workers and employers.

It isn’t complicated to prevent injury and fatality related to working in confined spaces. Employers must develop written policies and procedures to help workers stay safe. They must also train workers to follow those policies and procedures, and ensure that they are doing just that.

Is your team ready to work safely in confined spaces?

• Do you have a written confined space plan, including recognizing and marking all confined spaces on site?
• Have you developed procedures to test and monitor the air inside confined spaces before and during all employee entries?
• Have you developed procedures to prevent unauthorized entries and to ensure there is an attendant outside the space at all times?
• Do you train your workers and supervisors on safe work procedures, hazard controls, and rescue procedures?

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