America’s farms are some of the most dangerous places to work. Since family farms are not OSHA monitered, simple and logical things get overlooked.
Anywhere else, pits would be considered “confined space” and would require 1) a harness and breathing apparatus for each worker and b) somebody posted outside to call for help.
We had an entire family of males (grandpa, dad and three sons) die in Michigan about 15 years ago in this exact same situation.
I’m from Michigan, and that is one of the cases I remember.