Available Now: 2023 Schedule of Hazmat & RCRA Training
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

Attending Lion Technology classes should be mandatory for every facility that ships or stores hazmat.

Genell Drake

Outbound Lead

I really enjoy your workshops. Thank you for such a great program and all the help Lion has provided me over the years!

George Chatman

Hazardous Material Pharmacy Technician

The instructor was excellent. They knew all of the material without having to read from a notepad or computer.

Gary Hartzell

Warehouse Supervisor

My experience with Lion classes has always been good. Lion Technology always covers the EPA requirements I must follow.

Steven Erlandson

Environmental Coordinator

The instructor was very dedicated to providing a quality experience. She did her best to make sure students were really comprehending the information.

Stephanie Venn

Inventory Control Specialist

The instructor was energetic and made learning fun compared to dry instructors from other training providers.

Andy D’Amato

International Trade Compliance Manager

Lion's online training is more comprehensive, has better slides, and is a superior training experience than what I would get from other trainers.

Robert Brenner

District Environmental Manager

The instructor had knowledge of regulations and understanding of real-world situations. The presentation style was engaging and fostered a positive atmosphere for information sharing.

Linda Arlen

Safety & Environmental Compliance Officer

More thorough than a class I attended last year through another company.

Troy Yonkers

HSES Representative

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

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.