3 deaths while dewatering shafts prompt warning

Improper equipment and failure to test for poisonous gases were causes of the deaths of three prospectors in the Ontario bush this year. The circumstances of deaths are identical.

On July 9, two men died from carbon monoxide poisoning while dewatering a shaft. The shaft is about eight kilometres from Schreiber in the province’s northwest. A month later, on Aug. 10, a weekend prospector/geologist died under the same circumstances while dewatering a shaft in Boston Twp. south of Kirkland Lake.

In both cases, the shafts were being pumped out with gasoline-driven pumps. The two men at Schreiber were Russell Otto and Walter Acker. The water in the shaft was 35 ft. below surface. Both men were overcome by gas. Both bodies were found under water in the shaft.

The water in the Boston Twp. shaft in which David Langdon died was 23 ft. below surface.

The Ontario Ministry of Labour has issued a “hazard notice” on mine dewatering. Those contemplating entry into old workings should become familiar with the ministry’s Information Sheet R.S. 243, which describes the hazards and the precautions that must be taken.

Besides pointing out the hazard of operating gasoline equipment in confined, airless spaces, the ministry also warns of oxygen deficiency and poisonous gases that may be present in disused workings. Stagnant air may have much of its oxygen removed by oxidation of minerals and organic matter. In addition, carbon dioxide, methane and hydrogen sulphide, also deriving from decomposing organic matter, are often found in disused workings.