Canada - Confined Space

Case Study: While workers were unloading sand from a cement mixing hopper, the material became stuck and stopped dumping from the container. A worker walked along a nearby catwalk with a seven-foot pole, intending to dislodge the sand. Once the worker was near the hopper, he was out of view of the other employees. The top of the hopper was open, and while there was no designated entry point, the hopper was accessible from the catwalk. At some point, the worker entered the hopper. Because no one could see him, no one knows whether he accidentally slipped or if entered the hopper voluntarily. When the sand became dislodged and began moving again, coworkers saw the seven-foot pole fall out of the bottom of the hopper with the sand. They were unable to locate the worker on site, and realized he must have fallen into the hopper. Eventually, rescuers extricated the worker from the bottom of the hopper and administered CPR, but unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries a short time later.

Key Takeaway: The worker entered the hopper without a confined spaces plan, and without proper training. The open hopper should have been guarded or sealed to prevent unauthorized or accidental entry. A simple grate or other barricade over the hopper could have prevented this death.