VICKERY — Federal investigators determined the death of a 31-year-old worker found unresponsive at a Vickery farm was caused by inhalation of hydrogen sulfide gas.
The gas, which the man, who was not identified, was exposed to while he loaded pig manure into trailers for use as fertilizer, is rapidly absorbed by the lungs.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited W.E. Soil Enhancement of March 16 for three serious safety violations, after it completed its investigation into the Oct. 31, 2015 death, according to a release from OSHA.
W.E. Soil Enhancement based out of Bellevue, at 432 County Road 302, but the OSHA violations were found during an inspection at 2061 North County Road 260 in Clyde, according to the release.
Agriculture is among the most dangerous occupations in America, with 143 deaths recorded in the industry in 2014, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
“Symptoms from overexposure to hydrogen sulfide gas can come on rapidly and quickly overcome a worker,” OSHA’s area director in Toledo, Kim Nelson, said. “The agriculture industry needs to educate its employees that the foul odors that come with manure spreading are not just unpleasant; they are unsafe and can be deadly. It is imperative that farm workers are protected from inhaling these gases.”
In its investigation, OSHA determined W.E. Soil Enhancement should have:
- Provided engineering controls and respiratory protection to protect workers from exposure to hydrogen sulfide gas.
- Developed and trained workers on a hazard communication program.
- Identified and evaluated respiratory hazards.
OSHA has proposed penalties of $16,800 against the company.
W.E. Soil Enhancement has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OHSA’s area director in Toledo or contest the findings before the independent Occupational and Safety and Health Review Commission.
