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5TH ST SW AND COMMUNITY CENTER DR, WADENA, MN 56482
Standard 19260021 B02
Initial $1,856
Employee killed in trench cave-in
At 1:20 p.m. on May 21, 1991, Employee #1 was observing three holes dug by anoth er contractor to determine subsoil conditions. Holes #1 and #2 were 2 to 4 ft de ep and hole #3 was approximately 22 ft long and 8 to 10 ft deep, resembling a wa ter or sewer trench. These holes were dug for observation only; no one was suppo sed to enter them. For some reason, Employee #1 entered the trench, which then c aved in almost immediately, burying him to his neck. Apparently his chest was cr ushed and he died of asphyxia.
Data sourced from Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry, Minnesota Attorney General, federal OSHA, and municipal permit offices. Records are public and may not reflect pending appeals or corrections.