At 2:46 p.m. on September 16, 2024, Employee #1 (20) and Employee #2 (age unknown) were conducting inspections and maintenance on a tanker trailer previously used to transport propane. The tank was to be emptied using flaring, in which the remaining gas is vented through a hose to a large tripod “flare” device. The top of the flare is then ignited to burn the gas, rather than releasing it into the atmosphere. The hose that connected directly to the tank was attached correctly but not connected to the flare, causing propane to discharge onto the ground near the employees. Employee #1 went under the tank to grease the trailer with an electric-powered grease gun. It was suspected that the battery on the grease gun may have sparked, igniting the propane that had already filled the area, engulfing the employee in flames.
Employee #2 pulled the employee from under the trailer to remove him from the area, which resulted in this employee also sustaining burns.
Emergency responders were called and transported both employees to Cabell Huntington Hospital in Huntington, WV.
Employee #1 was transferred to the burn center at U of L Hospital in Louisville, KY on September 18, 2024, and died from his injuries at approximately 1:30 a.m. on September 23, 2024.
Employee #2 remained in the hospital in Huntington and was released on September 23, 2024.
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 5 | 2 | 7 | |||
| Current Violations | 5 | 2 | 7 | |||
| Initial Penalty | $29,000 | $0 | $0 | $10,800 | $0 | $39,800 |
| Current Penalty | $29,000 | $0 | $0 | $10,800 | $0 | $39,800 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001 | Serious | 19100110 B16 | 03/14/2025 | 04/01/2025 | $7,000 | $7,000 | $0 | Z – Issued | ||
| 2. | 01002 | Serious | 19100110 B17 V | 03/14/2025 | 04/01/2025 | $7,000 | $7,000 | $0 | Z – Issued | ||
| 3. | 01003 | Serious | 19100157 G01 | 03/14/2025 | 04/01/2025 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $0 | Z – Issued | ||
| 4. | 01004 | Serious | 19101200 E01 | 03/14/2025 | 04/01/2025 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $0 | Z – Issued | ||
| 5. | 01005 | Serious | 19101200 H01 | 03/14/2025 | 04/01/2025 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $0 | Z – Issued | ||
| 6. | 02001 | Other | 2.181(3)(4)(C) | 03/14/2025 | 03/18/2025 | $4,500 | $4,500 | $0 | Z – Issued | ||
| 7. | 02002A | Other | 19040030 A | 03/14/2025 | 04/01/2025 | $6,300 | $6,300 | $0 | Z – Issued | ||
| 8. | 02002B | Other | 19040032 B02 I | 03/14/2025 | 04/01/2025 | $0 | $0 | $0 | Z – Issued |
Source: https://www.osha.gov/ords/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1778040.015