An Oklahoma City employer’s failure to follow federal safety procedures left a 30-year-old worker suffering fatal asphyxiation as they tried to make repairs inside a water tank at a McClain County well site in September 2023. Responding to the report of a fatality in Purcell, OSHA investigators determined the worker had entered a permit-required confined space to fix a leaking bulkhead valve in a production tank and then lost consciousness. Two co-workers entered the tank in a failed rescue attempt and suffered effects from exposure to low atmospheric conditions—neither sustained injuries.
OSHA investigators found that the employer failed to evaluate the tank for hazardous conditions – including testing the atmosphere – and did not use protective systems to prevent worker injuries, violating federal regulations.
Further investigation determined the remaining water in the tank contained compounds — including ethyl benzene, xylene, trimethylbenzene, isobutane, and other cyclic aliphatic compounds — and atmospheric readings inside showed low oxygen content, volatile organic compounds, and carbon dioxide, all of which can lead to asphyxiation.
OSHA issued 16 serious citations. Of these citations, 13 are related to failures that contributed to the worker’s death, including the following:
- Allowing employees to enter a confined space without an atmospheric evaluation or a required permit.
- Not providing flame-resistant personal protective equipment
- NOTE: these FRC citations are an example of “instance-by-instance” citations vs. “grouping”; four employees were involved, and OSHA issued serious citations for all four employees being exposed to the flammable atm without the aid of FRC.
- Failing to have testing and ventilation equipment space entry programs in place.
- Not training employees to establish proficiency in confined space hazards.
- Failing to ensure those authorized to enter the space knew the hazards, signs, or symptoms of exposure.
