On February 10, OSHA issued a $419,347 citation to a Texas-based rail car servicing and maintenance provider after a confined space accident resulted in the death of two employees.
On August 12, 2020, a worker allegedly entered a natural gasoline rail car to conduct a cleaning at the company’s
Hugo, OK facility. After the worker was found to be unresponsive, a second worker allegedly entered the rail car to investigate and was also overcome by the toxic fumes. Both employees were eventually recovered and later pronounced dead at a local medical facility.
A subsequent OSHA investigation concluded that the rail car servicer allegedly failed to require a permit to allow entry into the rail car, ventilate the space, monitor hazards inside a confined space, and complete entry permits for work inside a confined space, as required. OSHA cited the company for 11 serious violations and two willful violations.
The company has 15 business days from receipt of citation and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
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