A maintenance diver died from hyperthermia as he was preparing to do routine maintenance on a water tank, California

SUMMARY

A maintenance diver died from hyperthermia as he was preparing to do routine maintenance on a 150,000 gallon steel water tank that was 150 feet tall. The three-person work crew was preparing to conduct routine maintenance inside the tank when the incident occurred. The victim had climbed 100 feet to the water tank catwalk when he was found collapsed by a co-worker. The autopsy report indicated the victim died from a combination of hyperthermia and the presence of methamphetamine. The CA/FACE investigator determined that, in order to prevent future incidents, water tank maintenance companies should:

• Develop and implement a Heat Illness Prevention Plan.
• Implement a Workplace Supported Recovery Program using evidence-based policies and programs to reduce multiple risk factors for substance use.

A maintenance diver died from hyperthermia as he was preparing to do routine maintenance on a water tank, California [PDF – 782 KB]