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Cal-OSHA is investigating the deaths of two brothers who were working at a compost center in Lamont, CA. They were overcome by fumes in a confined space.

Armando Ramirez, 16, and Eladio Ramirez, 22, were cleaning inside a six to eight foot deep drainage tunnel when they were overcome by fumes.

They were taken to a local hospital where Armando died the day of the incident and Eladio died two days later.

Armando worked for Community Recycling and Resource Co. and Eladio was working there as a contractor through A & B Harvesting.

A Kern County Environmental Health employee said measurements showed high levels of hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide in the tunnel.

Area residents gathered at the business following the two deaths to protest conditions for workers there. The protesters claim workers at Community Recycling aren’t given the right protective gear for working in a confined space.

The U.S. Department of Labor is also investigating because of Armando’s age. Federal law restricts teenagers under 18 from performing certain hazardous jobs.

Tags: CAL-OSHA, confined space, overcome by fumes, protective gear