Search

OSHA Fines NJ Landscaper $17K After Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deaths

Posted on 8/23/2019 by Lauren Scott

A landscaping company based in Cresskill, NJ has been fined $17,051 for allegedly exposing its employees to the hazards of carbon monoxide (CO) without the proper safety training, resulting in the deaths of two of its workers.

In a statement released August 9, the US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) said two workers were keeping warm inside a company trailer on December 11, 2018 in Washington Township, NJ. When one of the workers started a gasoline-powered lawnmower, the exhaust fumes created hazardous levels of CO gas.

The two workers were found unconscious and not breathing when emergency personnel arrived just after 8 a.m. One of the employees died later that day at The Valley Hospital nearby, while the other was pronounced dead in early January 2019.
 

Carbon Monoxide: The Silent Killer

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that is the byproduct of combustible engines, furnaces, or gas ranges.

CO exposure can cause flu-like symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, chest pain, and confusion. At higher levels, especially in small, enclosed spaces, the gas can cause death.

While landscaping is not known as an industry for working in confined spaces, OSHA notes that the company should have trained its employees to recognize the dangers of CO exposure prior to the incident.

The company has until August 29 to dispute OSHA’s citation and penalty.
 

Ready Your Team with Online Confined Space Training

Lion offers Confined Spaces Entry Awareness online training for employees who work around hazardous confined spaces and need to know the risks associated with unauthorized entry in these spaces. Training is completed online, at your own pace. With the ability to start, pause, and complete the course from any computer or mobile device, this OSHA training course gives you the flexibility to train how you want and when you need to.
 

Tags: carbon monoxide, confined space, fines, landscaping, osha, penalties, safety, violations, workplace safety

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

These are the best classes I attend each year. I always take something away and implement improvements at my sites.

Kim Racine

EH&S Manager

Excellent course. Very interactive. Explanations are great whether you get the questions wrong or right.

Gregory Thompson

Environmental, Health & Safety Regional Manager

You blew the doors off the competition!

Stephen Bieschke

Facilities Manager

The instructor did an excellent job presenting a very dry subject; keeping everyone interested and making it enjoyable.

Marc Bugg

Hazardous Waste Professional

The course was very well structured and covered the material in a clear, concise manner.

Ian Martinez

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Best course instructor I've ever had. Funny, relatable, engaging; made it interesting and challenged us as the professionals we are.

Amanda Schwartz

Environmental Coordinator

The instructor was very knowledgeable and provided pertinent information above and beyond the questions that were asked.

Johnny Barton

Logistics Coordinator

Lion is easily and consistently the best option for compliance training. I've learned new information from every instructor I've had.

Rachel Mathis

EHS Specialist

Excellent job. Made what is very dry material interesting. Thoroughly explained all topics in easy-to-understand terms.

David Hertvik

Vice President

Excellent class, super instructor, very easy to follow. No rushing through material. Would like to take his class again.

Lawrence Patterson

EH&S Facility Maintenance & Security Manager

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Some limited quantity reliefs are reserved for specific modes of transport. Use this guide to identify which reliefs you can capitalize on, and which do not apply to your operations.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.