Nebraska Plumbing Company Fined $94.5K After Employee Deaths

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued Speedy Rooter Inc. in South Sioux City, Neb., citations for one willful and five serious violations after two workers who entered a municipal sewer manhole were overcome by sewer gas and died.

OSHA began the investigation in July after a worker entered the manhole in an attempt to rescue another worker who had been overcome by sewer gas, and both workers died.

The willful violation is for failing to effectively develop and implement a confined space permit program to ensure workers were protected from confined space hazards.

The five serious violations involve failing to provide effective means for atmospheric testing, space ventilation, summoning rescue and emergency services, issuing entry permits and conducting employee training.

Speedy Rooter Inc., a commercial and residential plumbing service, has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to contest these findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Source: OSHA