Inspection Detail

Note: The following inspection has not been indicated as closed. OSHA citation items will be posted 30 (thirty) days after the employer receives the citation(s), except in cases of significant public interest. Posted citation items reflect any amendments to citations that are the result of a prompt settlement, which OSHA encourages. Employers and employee representatives will continue to receive copies of the citation(s) upon issuance.

Inspection: 1718657.015 - Qualawash Holdings, Llc

Inspection Information - Office: Houston South Area Office

Investigation Summary

At 12:07 p.m. on December 23, 2023, an employee working as an equipment washer for a contract tank service was cleaning a bulk liquid waste tank that had contained acetic acid. The employee was found unresponsive inside the tank. The employee was transported to the emergency room and was pronounced dead eleven minutes after arrival. There was no visible trauma on the employee. The employee had died from possible carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and/or asphyxiation.

Keywords: Asphyxiated, Carbon Monoxide, Carboxyhemoglobin, Chemical, Chemical Exposure, Chemical Vapor, Confined Space, Entry Permit, Gas, Inhalation, Lack of Work Procedures, Lack of oxygen, Lost consciousness, Lung, Multi-employer Worksite, Multiemployer, PPE, PPE Hazard Assessment, Poisoning, Respiratory, Respiratory Tract, Tank, Tank Cleaning, Unresponsive