A trench collapsed on a man at an Oxford Township job site on Tuesday, and he was rushed to the hospital.
Oxford Township Fire Chief Matt Majestic said the collapse occurred around 9:25 a.m. June 30 at a residence on Barber Road between Oakwood and Davison Lake roads.The 35-year-old victim was in a trench that was about 9 to 10 feet deep putting in a new septic system at the home when the clay soil and gravel collapsed, completely burying him.Workers at the scene and an Oakland County Sheriff’s deputy were able to clear the man’s head and neck area and Majestic said the victim was “showing signs of life.”
Upon receiving the emergency call, firefighters had activated the county technical rescue team, but were able to fully extricate the man by 9:50 a.m., before the team’s arrival.
The man was rushed in critical condition to McClaren Hospital’s trauma center in Pontiac. An update to his condition has not yet been released.
Majestic said at least “a few” trench collapses occur per construction season in the metro Detroit area.”We always want safe work practices, with the spoil pile moved far away, a trench box in place and wearing proper safety equipment, with no work in the trench while excavation is taking place if possible,” Majestic said. “If you are in a trench, obviously work from inside the trench box. It looks like a box with two open ends and they can work from within.”Majestic said he could not answer at this time whether a trench box was used in this instance.The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been contacted for an investigation.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Trench collapses on worker in Oxford Township
Reporting by Susan Bromley, Hometownlife.com / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Susan Bromley, Hometownlife.com | USA TODAY Network
