OSHA has cited a Chemical Manufacturer after an employee died due to lack of oxygen while cleaning the inside of a railcar. A second employee who tried to rescue the co-worker was also overcome but survived. OSHA has proposed $64,857 in penalties. The facility was cited for failing to provide respiratory protection; properly ventilate a confined space; implement a permit-required limited space program, and have an emergency rescue plan in place.
At 8:15 a.m. on December 5, 2017, an employee was cleaning a tank that had residual glycerine. The employee lost conscious and was killed from an oxygen deficient atmosphere.
NOTE: I added the link to the glycerine SDS.
Here is a breakdown of the citations, as they stand today. The company is trying to enter into an informal settlement agreement.
