proper safety precautions, the inquest into their deaths heard yesterday.

Sanitation engineer Mr. Antoine Burgess and mechanic Mr. Melbourne (Willie) Grant died after being submerged in the cesspit at the Robin Hood pub restaurant last August. Mr. Burgess, 22, died in hospital nine days after the accident and Mr. Grant, 46, died two days later.

The two-day inquest ended yesterday with Coroner the Wor. John Judge recording a verdict of death by misadventure and recommending safety measures which he said should be made law if necessary.

Self-employed sanitation worker Mr. Derek Crockwell, of St. Mary's Road, Warwick, said he was helping out Mr. Charles Grant, owner of Highland Sanitation Services, which was cleaning out the eight-foot deep pit.

Mr. Burgess went in to check a hose, said Mr. Crockwell. "I ran over to the pit because I knew something had gone wrong. I could see Charles holding Antoine under his arms.

"Willie tried to get hold of Antoine's hand but because of the sewage and grease he couldn't get hold of him. Charles was overcome by fumes and fell in.

Willie started screaming, saying Charles was dead.

"Willie went in before I had a chance to give him a rope. It appears the fumes overcame him and he fell in.'' Mr. Melbourne Grant managed to climb out and firefighters rescued Mr. Charles Grant and Mr. Burgess from the pit.

Mr. Charles Grant, of Claytown, Hamilton Parish, told the inquest he had been in the business 20 years and had cleaned out the Robin Hood pit about 30 times with no problems.

Safety equipment on the company truck had comprised a rope, breathing mask, step ladder, hip-high boots and gloves, Mr. Grant said. "Antoine used the gloves and boots but not the mask, because we've never had to use it in that pit before.'' Government health and safety officer Mrs. Doris Foley Millett told the inquest of two factors in the tragedy. Firstly, it was believed the cesspit contained both kitchen waste and toilet drainage, against regulations saying they should be separated. Grease floating on top had created a seal, allowing toxic hydrogen sulphide gas to accumulate.

Secondly, sanitation workers should have a working knowledge and appreciation of the dangers involved. "Mr. Charles Grant and his co-workers did not have that knowledge,'' she said. "They may have appreciated the dangers involved but were not cognizant of the precautionary measures to be taken.'' Giving a list of recommendations for workers in confined spaces, she said tests for gases must first be made and the spaces ventilated if necessary.

Proper respirators should be used and a stand-by person should be outside on alert.

Rescue training should also be given, Mrs Foley Millett added."Unplanned rescues can easily result in multiple fatalities.'' She had now inspected local sanitation companies and conducted a training seminar with safety equipment.

Mr Judge endorsed Mrs. Foley Millett's recommendations. He also called for proper training in the industry in the dangers of cesspits, precautionary testing for gases and the wearing of protective clothing. Someone fully trained in first aid should be present during cleansing of cesspits and refresher courses should be provided.

These measures should be enforced by legislation if necessary, he said.