The Illinois Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Division has released a report on a 2023 incident where a public works employee drowned in Northeast Illinois. The report highlights failures in confined space standards, management oversight, and rescue capabilities. The involved municipality faces citations and must improve safety protocols. This incident prompts urgent action as the implicated municipality faces citations and is required to bolster its safety protocols. Authorities emphasize the necessity of adhering to confined space guidelines to prevent similar tragedies, underscoring the importance of robust management practices and effective emergency response plans. You can read the OSHA incident report here.
“This incident highlights the importance of compliance with Illinois Occupational Safety and Health Act standards, proper risk assessment, and a rapid and effective rescue plan for confined space operations,” said IL OSHA Chief Erik Kambarian. “Additionally, employers must foster a workplace culture where workers can speak up if something doesn’t seem right.”
As part of the settlement agreement between IL OSHA and the municipality, the municipality was required to produce a companion training video on confined space safety for water departments.