Federal investigators cite waste management company for failure to implement confined space entry requirements resulting in worker fatality

CLEVELAND – A U.S. Department of Labor investigation found that Clean Harbors Environmental Services Inc., a Massachusetts-based environmental and hazardous waste management service provider, failed to properly ventilate a confined space containing organic chemical residue at a customer’s facility in Twinsburg, Ohio, resulting in a worker fatality. 

The department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration determined the employer failed to implement  legally mandated permit-required space entry requirements. Specifically, OSHA found that the employer failed to ventilate, test the environment and use non-entry rescue equipment, including a tripod, mechanical winch, and full-body retrieval harness.

OSHA cited Clean Harbors Environmental Services Inc. for violations including three willful and proposed $602,938 in penalties. 

Employers can visit OSHA’s website for information about confined space entry safety requirements, and contact the agency for information about OSHA’s compliance assistance resources and for free help complying with OSHA standards.