OSHA Cites Texas Company After Deadly Hydrogen Sulfide Accident

April 4, 2023 — OSHA has cited the oil and gas company Production Waste Solutions LLC after an employee died after being exposed to hydrogen sulfide gas.

Production Waste Solutions LLC is a company located about 175 miles east of El Paso, Texas. The company was cited for a total of 6 serious health and safety violations.

The accident occurred in September 2022, while the employee was skimming and suctioning out sludge water and oil byproducts from a sump pit.

He was exposed to a deadly amount of hydrogen sulfide, a flammable and highly-toxic gas that smells like rotten eggs. At high concentrations, exposure to this gas can rapidly cause unconsciousness and death.

OSHA assessed a total fine of $39,064 for the fatal incident.

Production Waste Solutions was cited for exposing employees to inhalation hazards, failure to train employees on the hazards of hydrogen sulfide, failure to asses the hazards of the job, and other violations.

According to OSHA Area Director Diego Alvarado:

“Hydrogen sulfide exists in oil and gas deposits, and it occurs naturally in sewers, manure pits, well water and oil and gas wells, which is one of the reasons work in confined spaces is potentially dangerous. This terrible loss could have been prevented if Production Waste Solutions LLC had followed established safety procedures and provided federally required training and equipment.”

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