Underground operation protective equipment can not be less

At 9:00 a.m. yesterday, Mr. Xu, a local citizen, reported an emergency situation involving a sewage pipeline renovation project near No. 19 Dongzhuang Road in Guangling District. According to his account, two workers were trapped underground while dismantling a section of the pipe, and when a second pair attempted to rescue them, they too were affected by toxic gases, resulting in multiple cases of poisoning.

During the investigation, the reporter found that proper safety measures, such as gas masks or protective gear, were not being used during these types of underground operations. This raised serious concerns about the lack of regulation and awareness regarding worker safety in urban construction sites.

Accident Summary:

“I heard that two workers didn’t come back up after going down into the manhole,” Mr. Xu said. He reported that the incident occurred at a sewage pipeline site, where two individuals went down to remove a structure and did not return. The situation quickly escalated when others tried to save them without proper equipment.

The reporter arrived at the scene shortly after the incident. The two workers had already been rescued and taken to the city hospital for treatment. At the location, the well was approximately 56 meters deep, with some water still present inside. A strong, pungent odor was noticeable at the entrance. Ropes, wooden ladders, and other tools used in the rescue were still visible on-site.

Outside the well, a yellow-white liquid could be seen. “It wasn’t just two people who got sick,” one anonymous worker said. “Four people were affected.” According to the worker, the two initial workers fell into the well while trying to remove a template, and when the rescuers tried to pull them out, they also became victims of the same toxic environment.

Rescue Efforts and Aftermath:

Two of the rescued workers were admitted to the hospital with mild symptoms, while the other two suffered from severe poisoning. One of the rescuers, Master Zhu, described how the situation unfolded. He mentioned that during the operation, someone was always monitoring the workers below and that they wore seat belts for safety. However, when a strange smell was detected, they suspected the presence of harmful gases like biogas.

Master Zhu explained that he and another worker rushed to help but ended up suffering from the same conditions. “We couldn’t think clearly and were forced to go down,” he said. “After we came up, we felt very weak and had to be hospitalized.”

He also mentioned that this was not the first time he had encountered such a situation. “I’ve worked on sewage pipelines for over 10 years, and I’ve seen similar incidents before,” he said. “Sometimes, people fall into the well and can’t get out, and then those who try to save them also end up in trouble.”

Lack of Protective Equipment:

Despite the clear dangers, many workers do not use protective equipment like gas masks. When the reporter asked about this, several workers avoided answering directly. However, one migrant worker, Mr. Peng, confirmed that he had never seen anyone wear a gas mask during underground work, especially in the summer when it’s more uncomfortable.

Mr. Peng shared that he had worked underground for years and had witnessed similar incidents before. “One of my colleagues once got poisoned by what I thought was biogas,” he said. “He was lucky enough to recover, but it was a close call.”

Other workers interviewed also confirmed that they rarely used gas masks. Instead, they relied on simple tools like sounding instruments to check for gas levels before entering. If no major issues were detected, they would proceed without additional protection.

Calls for Better Safety Standards:

Master Zhu emphasized the importance of following safety protocols. “In training, we were told not to rush in blindly to save people,” he said. “If someone falls into a well, you should avoid going down yourself unless you have the right equipment.”

He added that many wells contain dangerous gases that can cause unconsciousness or even death. “If someone is trapped, you should first ventilate the area, use ropes or sticks to pull them out, and never go down without protection,” he advised.

Mr. Zhu also pointed out that such hazards are not limited to workers. “Even ordinary people can fall into these wells and face life-threatening situations,” he said. “Once someone is trapped, they may not be able to save themselves, leading to tragic outcomes.”

He referenced a recent incident in the city where a 6-year-old child fell into a well and later died. “This shows how dangerous these environments can be,” he said. “We need stricter regulations and better safety measures to prevent such tragedies.”

Finally, he urged the relevant authorities to conduct regular inspections of underground work sites to ensure compliance with safety standards. “These four workers were lucky to survive,” he said. “But if the response had been delayed, the outcome could have been much worse.”

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Copyright Statement: This article is a reprint of online media, and it only represents the author's point of view. It has nothing to do with this site. If news articles and comments infringe your legal rights, please call us and we will handle it in a timely manner.