Those who follow my accident posts are well aware of my crusade to help everyone understand the LIMITATIONS of our atmospheric monitors. Just this year, I did my 2-day PRCS training course for a well-known petrochemical business and was challenged on the limitations of the LEL sensors on these devices. During the lunch break, several participants came back with that look on their faces… yes, they called their meter provider, who provided them with the same information I had presented that morning. This should NOT be happening in 2024!
But here is a case where failing to calibrate and bump test personal monitoring devices cost a man his life!
At 9:00 p.m. on September 19, 2022, an employee, 54, was pumping wastewater out of a drain sludge containment area when, after the operation was complete, he lifted the suction hose and fell to the ground. The employee died due to acute thiosulfate intoxication from inhalation of hydrogen sulfide.
OSHA found that employees were exposed to inhalation/suffocation hazard while working in areas with potential Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) and using H2S monitors which were NOT properly calibrated and/or bump tested.
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 4 | 2 | 6 | |||
| Current Violations | 4 | 2 | 6 | |||
| Initial Penalty | $39,064 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $39,064 |
| Current Penalty | $25,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $25,000 |
| 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 | 5A0001 | 03/15/2023 | $7,000 | $10,938 | $0 | I – Informal Settlement | |||
| 2. | 01002 | Serious | 19100028 B01 I | 03/15/2023 | $4,000 | $6,250 | $0 | I – Informal Settlement | |||
| 3. | 01003A | Serious | 19100132 D01 | 03/15/2023 | 04/03/2023 | $7,000 | $10,938 | $0 | I – Informal Settlement | ||
| 4. | 01003B | Serious | 19100132 D02 | 03/15/2023 | 04/03/2023 | $0 | $0 | $0 | I – Informal Settlement | ||
| 5. | 01004 | Serious | 19101200 H01 | 03/15/2023 | 04/03/2023 | $7,000 | $10,938 | $0 | I – Informal Settlement | ||
| 6. | 02001 | Other | 19100151 C | 03/15/2023 | 04/03/2023 | $0 | $0 | $0 | I – Informal Settlement | ||
| 7. | 02002 | Other | 19100303 B07 I | 03/15/2023 | $0 | $0 | $0 | I – Informal Settlement |
Source: https://www.osha.gov/ords/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1624194.015