The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration levied penalties totaling $20,853 to Power Flame, 2001 S. 21st, for six violations found in an investigation after a worker’s death earlier this year.
Shawn Sexton, 24, died at Labette Health on Jan. 24 after being found unresponsive on the powder coat room floor at Power Flame.
OSHA oversees workplace safety and health issues and opened an investigation after Power Flame reported Sexton’s death.
OSHA initially assessed $29,790 in penalties in the case but amended that to $20,853.
An OSHA report shows six citations, four of them serious.
1: Serious; $4,468.80 penalty. The OSHA summary said that Power Flame did not evaluate the respiratory hazard in the workplace. On Jan. 24, the employer failed to conduct a personal air sampling for employees in the powder coating areas, where employees wear respirators.
2: Serious; $5,957.70 penalty. Compressors that supply breathing air to respirators were not constructed and situated so contaminated air couldn’t get in. The intake of the Sullair Industrial Air Compressor was in the employees’ parking lot, where toxic exhaust fumes could be pulled into the system, the OSHA report said.
3: Serious; $10,426.50 penalty. The OSHA report says that a three-way valve connecting nitrogen and compressed air systems allowed for the possible introduction of nitrogen gas into the breathing air lines in the powder coat booth. The autopsy report indicated Sexton died accidentally from causes including inert gas asphyxiation by inhaling nitrogen gas.
4: Serious; no penalty. The report said the breathing air did not contain 19.5% to 23.5% oxygen on Jan. 24. Compressed air did not meet requirements for breathing when oxygen levels dropped below 19.5%.
5: Other; no penalty. Repairs to an Allegro supplied air hood did not follow manufacturer’s recommendations and specifications because of a modification on the waist belt assembly hose with a hose connection part that was not approved by Allegro, the OSHA report said.
6: Other; no penalty. This related to failing to display a tag relating to maintenance on the compressor.
In an email to Sun, Power Flame’s general manager offered a response to an inquiry by the Sun.
Brian Meek wrote that Power Flame was “deeply saddened” by team member Sexton’s death.
“We worked in full compliance and cooperation with all authorities to complete a thorough investigation.
“The safety and well-being of our employees is our highest priority, and that includes creating a safe environment. While we regularly conduct checks of our systems, following this tragedy, we further strengthened our safety measures.
“Thank you to all the Power Flame team members who are showing care, concern, and support for the Sexton family, friends, and each other during this difficult time.”
