At 7:45 p.m. on December 1, 2020, Employee #1, a production lead supervisor, entered the chill/production room. She observed a cloud generating in the immediate area of the freezer tunnel. She investigated the cause of the cloud and was killed by asphyxiation. Approximately one hour later, Employee #2, a production supervisor, entered the chill/production room. He observed Employee #1 on the floor and went over to her. Employee #2 was overcome by the lack of oxygen in the room and was also killed by asphyxiation.
Liquid nitrogen released from the tunnel freezer in the chill/production room created an oxygen-deficient atmosphere that asphyxiated both employees.
The chill/production room emergency alarms, Oxygen Deficiency monitor did not provide a warning to the employees of an oxygen-deficient atmosphere.
| Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 4 | 2 | 6 | ||
| Current Violations | 4 | 2 | 6 | ||
| Initial Penalty | $81,000 | $0 | $0 | $1,725 | $82,725 |
| Current Penalty | $81,000 | $0 | $0 | $1,725 | $82,725 |
| FTA Amount | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | ID | Type | Standard | Issuance | Abate | Curr$ | Init$ | Contest | LastEvent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001 | Other | 3203(A)(5) | 09/24/2021 | 10/13/2021 | $750 | $750 | 11/29/2021 | C – Contested |
| 2. | 01002 | Other | 5144(G)(3) | 09/24/2021 | 10/29/2021 | $975 | $975 | 11/29/2021 | C – Contested |
| 3. | 02001 | Serious | 3220(C)(1) | 09/24/2021 | $20,250 | $20,250 | 11/29/2021 | C – Contested | |
| 4. | 03001 | Serious | 3328(G) | 09/24/2021 | $20,250 | $20,250 | 11/29/2021 | C – Contested | |
| 5. | 04001 | Serious | 5141(A) | 09/24/2021 | $20,250 | $20,250 | 11/29/2021 | C – Contested | |
| 6. | 05001 | Serious | 5194(H)(1) | 09/24/2021 | $20,250 | $20,250 | 11/29/2021 | C – Contested |
Source: https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1504589.015