Workers Who Saved Man Who Was Sucked Through A Sewer Pipe To Receive Governor's Lifesaving Award

Eighteen Pierce County Public Works and Utilities employees will receive the Governor's Lifesaving Award for rescuing a fallen construction worker who was swept into the sewer system earlier this year.

The wastewater utility workers will be honored at the Governor's Industrial Safety and Health Conference in September for their direct roles in the rescue. Nearly 30 workers in all, plus West Pierce Fire and Rescue, assisted at the scene.

On March 21, a contractor's employee working on a county construction project became untethered while working inside a 6-foot-diameter sewer pipe. The force of the wastewater in the pipe knocked him down and he traveled more than a half mile through the underground tunnel to the Chambers Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, where county workers were able to locate him and pull him to safety through a manhole.

In Patch's coverage of the rescue, one county worker said "In my 25 years of service, we've never had to rescue someone like this."

Patch also posted .

Wastewater Utility manager Tim Ramsaur praised the team for their efforts. "They followed their confined-space entry training and made a fabulous effort," he said. "It was a great job and I applaud them." He noted that recent improvements to the treatment plant intake structures undoubtedly contributed to the man's survival.

"This lifesaving situation could have turned out very differently if they had not been trained and willing to work as a team during the dangerous rescue," noted Governor's Safety and Health Advisory Board president Sharon Ness. "Congratulations to them. They are all heroes."

The awards will be presented Sept. 28 at the conference's opening ceremonies held at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center.

Details about the incident and rescue are posted at www.piercecountywa.org/sewerescue.