Master Plumber Dies When Trench Collapses

On July 29, 2003, a 35-year-old, male master plumber died when an unshorn trench collapsed. Two employees from the contracting company were speaking with him at the time from the side of the trench. He had searched and diagnosed a water line leak when the walls of the trench collapsed. The plumber was employed by a plumbing company contracted by a commercial establishment to locate and repair a water leak. He died at the scene from asphyxia due to chest compression. To prevent future occurrences of similar incidents, the following recommendations have been made: Recommendation No. 1: Employers should train employees on safe work practices and how to recognize and avoid unsafe work conditions. Recommendation No. 2: Employers should train employees working in excavations on the use of appropriate protective equipment. Recommendation No. 3: Employers should ensure appropriate training and refresher procedures for all employees handling seldom used equipment