Employers Face $3.5M in OSHA Fines: Cleanup Investigation Findings

On December 27, 2025, 1 million gallons of sulfuric acid spilled at a facility just outside Houston, Texas. Multiple employees were injured. In response, OSHA initiated three inspections: one of the site’s owner, one of the contracted cleanup company, and one of the cleanup company’s subcontractor.  Officials determined that each company allegedly failed to protect workers during the post-emergency response cleanup.

All violations or claims discussed below are alleged only unless we say otherwise, and we withhold the names of organizations and individuals to protect their privacy.

Site Owner/Operator: OSHA Findings

Despite safety warnings, company 1—the site operator—mixed fresh and spent sulfuric acid, triggering a tank overpressure that ruptured a supply line, releasing 1 million gallons of sulfuric acid, which resulted in multiple employee injuries. OSHA fined the site operator for six serious violations, including exposing workers to chemical burns, failing to provide hazmat training, and deficiencies related to the use of respirators, and proposed $82,750 in penalties.

Cleanup Company: OSHA Findings

Company 2, the company that was hired to clean up the hazardous waste spill, lacked training, a safety and health program, an emergency response plan for hazardous waste operations and emergency response (HAZWOPER), and deficiencies related to the use of respirators. OSHA cited the cleanup company for two willful and five serious violations and proposed $392,501 in penalties.

Cleanup Subcontractor: OSHA Findings

Company 3, a subcontractor of company 2, sent workers to clean up the chemical spill without adequate training, respirator fit tests, or safety measures. OSHA cited the subcontractor for 18 willful egregious and five serious violations and proposed $3,045,452 in penalties.

Takeaway

These findings, and the $3,500,000+ in proposed penalties, underscore the need for employers to provide contaminated site workers with sufficient HAZWOPER site cleanup training. The HAZWOPER regulations are hard to parse, and it’s not easy to select the right training for the right people.

Lion’s HAZWOPER Training Decision Maker simplifies the training selection process. Just follow the path, keeping in mind each employee’s experience level and potential for exposure to hazardous substances, and you will reach the right training for your workers.

For emergency response training, start here.

For contaminated site cleanup training, start here.

Tags: HAZWOPER, osha, osha enforcement