Investigation into two workers’ deaths in Edmond finds Arkansas contractor failed to test oxygen level in confined space, provide rescue equipment

OKLAHOMA CITY – Federal workplace safety investigators have determined that an Arkansas construction contractor failed to test oxygen levels in the confined space before two workers entered a sewer 20 feet below ground at an Edmond work site and died because of a lack of oxygen.

An investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration into the June 14, 2022, incident found that an employee of Belt Construction Inc. climbed into a newly installed sewer manhole to conduct testing when they lost consciousness. Trying to rescue the worker, a second employee followed into the manhole and lost consciousness. Both workers later succumbed to their injuries.

OSHA investigators determined the Texarkana, Arkansas, company did not complete required planning before allowing workers to enter the space. In pre-entry planning, a confined space must be tested for safety, including finding out if ventilation is needed. Belt Construction also failed to provide rescue equipment and did not train workers on confined space entry procedures or obtain permits required by federal law.

OSHA cited the company for six serious and two willful violations and proposed $287,150 in penalties.  

“Two lives were lost – and family, friends and co-workers are left to grieve – because Belt Construction Inc. failed to follow legally required steps designed to prevent a needless incident like this from happening,” said OSHA Area Director Steven Kirby in Oklahoma City. “Employers assigning people to work inside a confined space must comply with safety standards, including providing and ensuring the use of required safety equipment, and obtain all necessary permits before the job starts to avoid tragedy.”

In July 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that – from 2011 to 2018 – 1,030 workers died in confined space incidents, 61 of them in sewers, manholes and storm drains.

Based in Texarkana, Belt Construction Inc. is a family-owned company that provides tunneling, boring and concrete work as well as large diameter water and wastewater pipe construction for rehabilitation of municipalities’ aging water and wastewater infrastructure in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Visit OSHA’s website for information on developing a workplace safety and health program. Employers can also contact the agency  about OSHA’s compliance assistance resources and  its free help for complying with OSHA standards.