Abstract: At approximately 10:00 a.m. on June 7, 1988, Employee #1 entered a tanker trailer to clean it. The tanker had been hauling molasses and wastewater and was then emptied. Employee #1 did not test the air for oxygen, toxic gas, or combustibles and did not ventilate the tank or utilize a lifeline. There was no buddy system. The driver of the tractor trailer noticed a problem with Employee #1 and contacted office personnel. Employee #2, a driver for John Fleming Trucking, dropped in to rescue Employee #1. He did not wear any personal protective equipment or lifeline either and was also overcome by the toxic atmosphere. Fire rescue subsequently retrieved both men, who later died.