Update: Aaron Wentz<br>
Sometimes Accidents Can't Be Prevented
In the October 2001 issue of PM, a special supplement was included for the National Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors. In it, a story was published about Kearney, Neb., master plumber Aaron Wentz. The story told of an incident -- a trenching cave-in -- that nearly took his life.
Editor's Note: In the October 2001 issue of PM, a special supplement was included for the National Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors. In it, a story was published about Kearney, Neb., master plumber Aaron Wentz ("Aaron Wentz, Buried But Not Forgotten"). The story told of his steadfast devotion to PHCC, and of an incident -- a trenching cave-in -- that nearly took his life.
We received several letters and e-mails, and while all expressed gratitude that Aaron's life was spared, some questioned the precautions he and members of his firm took when entering the trench to tap a sewer main. There were even concerns that the accident, or writing about it, portrayed PHCC poorly. Feature writer John Vastyan talked further to Aaron and Monty Splitter, City of Kearney Building Inspector, and reports more about that fateful day in May of 1999: