Latino worker dies following exposure to nitrogen in tanker truck
OSHA cites 5 serious safety violations
Violations of OSHA’sconfined spaces safety regulations led to the death of a worker on June 19, 2014, at Michael Foods Inc. in Wakefield, according to the agency. The 23-year-old Latino worker was found unresponsive in a tanker truck at the company's Big Red Farms facility. He was conducting sampling of the tank, which contained egg products and nitrogen. OSHA has cited the company, known for producing such products as Papetti's, Crystal Farms, AllWhites and Simply Potatoes, for five serious safety violations, including exposing employees to nitrogen hazards.
"Confined spaces put workers at risk for serious injury and illness from hazards, such as poor atmospheric quality," said Bonita Winingham, OSHA's area director in Omaha. "This tragedy could have been prevented had the employer implemented basic safety precautions associated with confined spaces and nitrogen exposure."