The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration said Monday that it cited a Texas tank cleaning company over the death of a worker late last year.
OSHA cited La Porte-based Qualawash Holdings LLC, operating as Quala Services LLC, for eight “repeat” violations and proposed $810,703 in penalties over the December 2023 fatality, which occurred while the worker was cleaning the inside of a tank.
The company, which specializes in cleaning tank trailers used to transport hazardous waste, was cited for similar violations in June 2020 in connection with the November 2019 death of two workers.
In the latest citation, OSHA said Quala Services failed to ensure atmospheric testing was done inside the tank before allowing employees to enter it.
OSHA also said the company failed to implement measures to prevent entry into permit-required confined spaces, failed to provide an attendant while employees worked inside confined spaces, and overexposed employees to carbon monoxide.
When the employee didn’t return home after his shift, his family urged the company to check the tanker, where the employee was found unresponsive, according to OSHA.
The agency said Quala Services never implemented safety reforms following the previous two employee deaths.
The company has 15 business days to contest the citation and proposed penalties.