FACE Report: Day laborer dies in a collapsed trench being dug to repair a sewer line

Case report: #22CA003
Issued by: California State Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Program
Date of report: Nov. 1, 2023

A plumber was asked by the manager of a mobile home park to repair a sewer line problem. No permits were obtained from the local municipal authorities, as is required. The plumber was self-employed and did not have a state-issued plumbing contractor’s license. To repair the sewer line, he hired four day laborers to dig a trench 4 feet wide, 30 feet long and 8 feet deep. Because of restricted space, the trench had to be dug with shovels. The process of digging the trench, which was not shored, exposed a 3-inch water line that was about 3 feet below grade and ran the length of the trench. No attempt was made to shut off the water line before work began or after it was uncovered. As two laborers were in the trench, about 8 feet below grade, the exposed water line above them suddenly broke. It began filling the trench with water and dirt that was being knocked loose from the pressurized water. When the day laborers above the trench witnessed this, they immediately attempted to rescue their co-workers. The water and mud were already up to the chests of the trapped laborers as their two co-workers above the trench tried to pull them out. It took about 10 minutes to pull one of the laborers from the mud-filled trench. The second laborer was completely submerged under the water and mud and was not able to be lifted out. Multiple fire and rescue departments arrived on the scene and removed the water from the trench with a vacuum. After eight hours, the victim was extracted from the trench and pronounced dead by paramedics. Cause of death was listed as traumatic asphyxia.

To help prevent similar occurrences, employers should ensure:

• Trenches 5 feet deep or greater are properly shored, shielded or sloped.
• Trenches are inspected by a competent person.
• A licensed plumbing contractor is used to perform trenching and 
excavation work.
• Day laborers are properly trained on hazards associated with working in a trench.