Texas Company Faces $301K in Fines After Employee Fatality

A Texas company has been cited for workplace safety hazards and fined more than $301,000 after an employee fatality at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in April 2019.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Liquid Environmental Solutions of Texas LLC employee suffered asphyxiation while inside a manhole access space that lacked adequate oxygen, and a means to escape. The company faces at total of $301,188 in fines.

OSHA determined that the company — which provides vacuum trucks to empty the airport’s grease traps — lacked proper procedures, training and equipment for accessing the permit-required confined space.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citation and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Source: OSHA