The United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited RKM Utility Services Inc. in Texas for failing to protect workers from hydrogen sulfide after a worker was exposed to dangerous levels of the gas and died working in a trench in Dallas, TX.

After inspection it was determined that the company had willfully exposed employees to a hazardous atmosphere and failed to test the atmosphere in the trench before employees entered. They failed to train employees on the health hazards of hydrogen sulfide or provide emergency rescue equipment and did not drain water from the trench. They face penalties totaling $422,006.

Hydrogen sulfide is a flammable and toxic gas, especially when present in confined spaces like a trench or sewer. Employers are required to test the air for hydrogen sulfide and use exhaust systems and personal protective equipment if the control methods used aren’t enough to reduce the levels of gas. They are also required to train their employees on the hazards of the gas and the various control methods.

Read the press release from OSHA.