Company Cited by OSHA for
Horrific Repeated Violations Leading to 3 Deaths

Incident Overview

Qualawash Holdings LLC, also known as Quala Services LLC, has been cited by OSHA for repeated safety violations. These violations led to the death of an employee in December 2023. This happened four years after two workers died in a similar incident in November 2019.

Details of the Latest Incident

The recent incident occurred just before Christmas in 2023. A 53-year-old worker did not return home after his shift. His family found him unresponsive later that day. OSHA found that the company did not test the air inside the tank before the worker entered, causing his death. OSHA cited Qualawash Holdings for eight repeat violations.

Repeat and Serious Violations

Qualawash Holdings had been cited for the same violations in June 2020 after the 2019 fatalities. The company did not fix these issues, leading to another death. OSHA Area Director Larissa Ipsen said, “If Quala Services had made the safety changes required in 2020, this tragedy could have been avoided.”

OSHA also found seven serious violations, including:

• Not preventing unauthorized entry into confined spaces.
• Not providing an attendant for workers in confined spaces.
• Problems with the confined space entry permit process.
• Overexposing workers to carbon monoxide.
• Electrical safety issues, such as unprotected conductors and uncovered outlets.

Penalties and Company Response

OSHA has proposed penalties totaling $810,703. Qualawash Holdings has 15 business days to respond. They can comply with the citations, request a meeting with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings.

Looking Ahead

This incident shows the importance of workplace safety. Ignoring safety rules can lead to tragic results. Qualawash Holdings now faces serious penalties and scrutiny. This case reminds all employers to prioritize the safety and well-being of their workers.