LA PLATA, Md. (Sept. 28, 2010)—On Tuesday morning at approximately 10:33 a.m., the Charles County 911 Operations Center received a report that a Charles County Government Public Works employee had fallen approximately 22 feet into a manhole located at the Charles County Pump Station 2A, at 2981 St. Charles Parkway in Waldorf.
Charles County's HAZMAT Team, Special Unit 9 Hazmat Team, and the Potomac Heights' Confined Space Entry Rescue Team responded to the scene. At approximately 11:59 a.m., the employee was extracted from the manhole using tripod and harness equipment. During the incident, oxygen and chemical levels were monitored constantly and reported in normal ranges.
The employee was rescued and taken into an onsite decontamination area prior to being airlifted to Prince George's Hospital Center by Maryland State Police Helicopter Trooper 2. Due to the nature of the fall, the employee will be evaluated and screened for internal injuries.
The cause of the accident is under investigation.