OSHA cited a truck washing company after a fatal incident that saw one employee killed and two others hospitalized from exposure to hydrogen sulfide gas.
The three workers entered a tanker trailer used to transport organic matter to clean its interior in September 2023 when they were exposed to the gas.
Inspectors determined that the company failed to perform atmospheric testing before allowing its employees to enter the confined space.
Multiple violations of OSHA confined space regulations were found along with a variety of other safety and health issues related to respirators, hearing protection and fall hazards.
Fine: $171,680
Company: Red Barn Truck Wash & Service Center LLC, Liberal, Kansas
Business: Car washes
Reasons for fine:
Two willful violations for failing to:
- identify and evaluate the hazards of a confined space before allowing employees to enter
- train employees tasked with cleaning the inside of a tanker trailer regarding the hazards they could face
24 serious violations for failing to:
- ensure employees on working surfaces with an unprotected side 4 feet or more above a lower level were protected from falls by using guardrail, safety net or personal fall arrest systems
- institute an effective hearing conservation program for employees exposed to noise hazards
- institute a written respiratory protection program for employees required to use respirators
- provide a full facepiece pressure demand self-contained breathing apparatus or supplied air respirator for employees working in an immediately dangerous to life and health atmosphere
- provide medical evaluations to determine if employees were capable of using respirators
- ensure employees required to use respirators were fit-tested prior to initial use
- ensure respirators were stored properly to prevent damage
- provide respiratory protection training to employees required to use respirators
- evaluate the workplace to determine if any spaces were permit-required confined spaces
- develop a written permit space entry program
- develop the means, procedures and practices necessary for safe permit space entry operations
- provide employees with necessary equipment for safe permit space entry operations
- test conditions in a permit space before allowing entry operations to proceed
- provide at least one attendant outside the permit space during entry operations
- designate individuals as attendants and entry supervisors for confined space entry operations
- develop procedures for contacting rescue and emergency services for rescuing employees tasked with entering a confined space
- develop a system for preparing, issuing, using and cancelling entry permits
- provide training on safe permit space entry operations (three separate violations)
- provide suitable facilities for quick drenching of the eyes and body in work areas where employees were exposed to corrosive materials
- develop a written hazard communication program
- ensure that employees had access to safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical in the workplace
- provide employees with information and training on hazardous chemicals in the workplace
