The verdict is in. What used to be OSHA’s proposed penalty of $202,500 against two northwest Missouri companies is now a whopping $242,000. This is a result of an investigation initiated by OSHA after a worker of one of the cited companies died of asphyxiation.

The companies cited for 42 safety and health violations are Progressive Energies Inc. (PEI) and Northwest Missouri Biofuels (NMB).

In April, Ryley Pearl, a 23-year-old NMB employee, entered a rail tank car in the plant and suffocated.  A PEI employee, who was with him inside, attempted to rescue him but also collapsed in the tank.  But unlike Pearl, he survived in the plant.

OSHA said the workers were not properly trained to work in confined spaces.

“Our inspection revealed that PEI and NMB both failed to protect their employees,” Charles E. Adkins, CIH, OSHA’s Kansas City regional administrator, said. “Employers must remain dedicated to keeping their employees safe at all times.”

The 42 violations are the following:

PEI

• 4 alleged willful violations
• 15 alleged serious violations
• 2 alleged other-than-serious violations

NMB

• 19 alleged serious violations
• 2 alleged other-than-serious violations

The two companies were both cited for serious alleged violations that address hazards involving permit-required confined spaces, respiratory protection, hazard communication, emergency response and process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals.

Helpful Links:

• OSHA Hosts Informal Hearing on Proposed Rule on Confined Spaces in Construction

• Proper Management of Hazardous Chemicals: Plan and Training for Workers

• Common Workplace Safety Terms – Part 4