SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): Leading commercial waste management and industrial services provider Clean Harbors faces a hefty fine of $603K for an incident held in January of this year, when a worker died at its Ohio facility. A news release by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) said that the company committed several violations, including three “wilful” violations.

ALSO READ:

Scott County to Resume Recycling After 8-Year Hiatus

Centerville Launched AI-Powered Pilot to Enhance Curbside Recycling

The investigations revealed that the worker was directed to enter and collect samples from the interior of a railroad tanker car at Clean Harbor’s Twinsburg Township business. He fell in as he descended and became unresponsive. The tests showed that the oxygen levels in the tank were as low as 5%. Emergency services were called. The employee, Dalion Ambler, a 35-year old man from Cleveland, was declared dead on the scene.

OSHA investigators cited that the company failed to ventilate the rail car, test the environment or use non-entry rescue equipment. The Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that the tanker rail car was oxygen deficient and that the victim died as a result of this.

Over the past five years, the federal agency has conducted as many as six investigations into Clean Harbors for possible workplace violations. Out of these, four are still to be completed. The company had reported a total recordable incident rate (TRIR) of 0.63 in 2023.