| Case Name |
The carbon monoxide intoxication under the work which drains rain water which accumulates in the underground pit. |
| Pictograph |
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| Location |
The culture hole of steel and reinforced concrete construction work field . |
| Overview |
In the culture hole of steel and reinforced concrete construction work field, to drain much water staying in the narrow underground pit below the dry area aside of the small hole, 2 workers used 2 pumps with gasoline engine for drainage. During that work, 2 workers died of carbon monoxide intoxication, and 7 persons who tried to rescue them also got carbon monoxide intoxication one by one. |
| Incident |
Around 10:30 am, in the culture hole of steel and reinforced concrete construction work field, during the drainage work at the very narrow pit underground using pumps with gasoline engine , two workers died due to the carbon monoxide intoxication,and 7 persons got the same intoxication and were driven conpulsory rests. |
| Sequence |
In the accident day, from the 8 am, workerA and B were assigned to drain the staying waters in the narrow pit undeground below the dry area aside of the small hole.
In the dry area,a pump with gasoline engine for the drainage of water was set ,but the rain water stayed unexpectedly, so A and B decided to use another pump from 10 am and continued that work.
After the rest , from 10:30am, A and B re-started the drainage work.
A and B did not return after the lunch rest,so the leader C went to the place,he found A and B lying in the pit.
C went down to the pit, stopped the pump, and checked their concious,but no response. Immediately, he went out of the pit to call the rescue and help to other workers.
Workers who entered into the pit lost their concious because of the carbon monoxide intoxication one by one, some fell down to the pit and others felt bad and took rest out of the dry area. 2 persons died because of CO, and 7 persons was forced to rest. |
| Cause |
Inside the dry area, there were not enough space. But they thought about only the efficiency of the work, so they used 2 pumps.The Oxigen in the dry area were lost, and carbon monoxide were filled there.
They worked without the ventilation in narrow pit.
Many workers went into the pit without thinking about the carbon monoxide filled in the pit to rescue the 2 workers , so they also got the intoxication.
Inspection of the oxide density was not done. |
| Response |
By the air blower, the rescue by rescue party was carried out, after the sufficient ventilation was carried out. |
| Countermeasures |
In the place where the natural ventilation is not enough , do not use the pump with gasoline engine but pump with electric motor.
If it is inevitable to use the gasoline pump, make sure that the ventilation is enough by air blower or so , and investigate the oxigen density .
Before the actual work, let the workers obey the directions.
Training and countermeasure of the rescue must be executed.
By doing the safety and sanitary education of the carbon monoxide or so, enhance the sense of danger and safety of the workers. |
| Knowledge Comment |
The usage standard of the pump with internal combustion engine and pump with electric motor at the plase where the natural ventilation is insufficient must be manualized and known thoroughly.
The standard of the ventilation facilities usage must be manualized clearly ,and let the workers know it.
Make it a duty to hand in the program of the work, and manualize the way of the direction of works , and let the workers know them.
Safety and sanitary education must be manualized and let workers know it.
Let the workers know how to investigate the oxigen density, the danger of lack of oxide, and carbon monoxide intoxication. |
| Background |
In the meeting(8 am) of the accident day, the leader C showed the plan of cleaning inside the pit and the point to pay attention, and the workers to go there.But the drainage work was on the 3rd day,so he did not do so detailed caution to them.
Until the rest at 10:30, the drainage was proceeded well , so leader C directed A and B to change the pump with gasoline to electricity,But this was not obeyed. |
| Sequel |
Air blower was carried into the pit in the rescue work, but it did not work though the switch was turned on. |
| Incidental Discussion |
The command line chain was not clear about the change of the method of the work.
Rescue training was not done. |
| Account of Concerned Parties |
Morning gathering and the sentences for caution got similar or dull , so they were fallen into mannerism. |
| Reason for Adding to DB |
To prevent the similar labor disaster. |
| Scenario |
| Primary Scenario
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Poor Concept, Poor Strategy or Concept, Organizational Problems, Poor Management, Poor Value Perception, Poor Safety Awareness, Regular Movement, Dangerous Movement, Malicious Act, Rule Violation, Usage, Operation/Use, Secondary Damage, Damage to Environment, Bad Event, Chemical Phenomenon, Bodily Harm, Sickness, Bodily Harm, Death
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| Number of Deaths |
2 |
| Number of Injuries |
7 |
| Consequences |
The occurrence of labor disaster such as carbon monoxide intoxication and lack of oxigen causes not only the social distrust of the contractors and subcontractors ,but also the distrust and anxiety of the organizer and the neighbors . |
| Field |
Civil Engineering
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| Author |
KANO, Koji (Japan Construction Safety and Health Association)
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