WASECA PLUMBING AND HEATING, INC.

Employee's ear amputated in trench cave-in

Employee #1 was preparing a trench of unspecified length for a sewer line when t he wall on Employee #1's left side collapsed, burying him. Employee #1 was weari ng wire-rimmed glasses that, according to a surgeon, completely amputated his le ft ear. An independent backhoe operator dug out Employee #1, saving his life. Th e trench was between 5 ft 6 in. and 7 ft deep, and 7 ft wide at the top narrowin g to 3 ft wide at the bottom. It was neither shored nor sloped, as required by t able P-1 of Standard 1926.652 (b). Employee #1 was not wearing a hard hat