The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration said Thursday that it cited a Kansas truck washing company after a worker died from hydrogen sulfide gas exposure.
OSHA cited Liberal-based Red Barn Truck Wash & Service Center LLC for two willful and 24 serious violations and proposed $171,680 in penalties after one worker suffered fatal injuries and two others were hospitalized during the September 2023 incident.
The workers were cleaning out over-the-road tanker trailers when the fatality occurred.
Red Barn failed to evaluate the tanker trailers for hazardous conditions, including testing the atmosphere, and didn’t properly train workers on potential hazards found within confined spaces, OSHA said.
Hydrogen sulfide can be a natural byproduct existing in areas storing organic matter such as crops and other materials.
OSHA said Red Barn didn’t have proper respiratory and hearing protection programs and exposed workers cleaning trailers to fall hazards.
The company had 15 business days to contest the citation and proposed penalties.