A pipe in the manure management system at Prospect Ranch LLC disconnected, releasing manure water and hydrogen sulfide gas that led to the deaths of six workers in Weld County last fall — and a potential fine of close to a quarter million dollars, according to a press release from the US Department of Labor, which oversees OSHA.
OSHA cited Prospect Ranch LLC and two agencies it contracts with for serious violations and proposes fining the three organizations a total of $246,609.
“The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited three companies after its investigation determined workers died after exposure to hazardous gas at Prospect Ranch in Weld County, Colorado,” according to the press release.
For the first time, it’s now known what actually happened to cause the deaths of five men and one teenage male, identified by the Weld County Coroner's Office identified as:
- Oscar Espinoza Leos, 17, of Nunn
- Carlos Espinoza Prado, 29, of Evans
- Noe Montanez Casanas, 32, of Keenesburg
- Jorge Sanchez Pena, 36, of Greeley
- Ricardo Gomez Galvan, 40, of Keenesburg
- Alejandro Espinoza Cruz, 50, of Nunn
“A pipe in the manure management system at Prospect Ranch LLC disconnected, releasing manure water and hydrogen sulfide gas,” the press release states, answering long-asked questions about what specifically led to the death of the five workers, all Hispanic, and most related either by blood or marriage, including a father and son.
The press release also confirms that some of the workers were contracted to do some work at the farm without being directly employed by it, while others were employed by the farm. Both the farm and two contracting agencies — Fiske Inc., and HC Builders LLC — face proposed fines.
“Contractors Fiske Inc. and HD Builders LLC were hired to perform work on the system. A Fiske employee and a Prospect Ranch employee attempted to stop the flow [of manure water and hydrogen sulfide gas] but were overcome by the gas. Subsequently, three more Fiske employees and one Prospect Ranch employee entered the pump room, which led to the loss of a total of six workers. HD Builders employees were present but unharmed,” the release states.
OSHA cited Prospect Ranch LLC for serious violations including “failure to protect workers from atmospheric hazards, have a written hazard communication program and train workers on methods to detect hazardous gases.”
OSHA proposes fining the farm $132,406 in penalties, with the two contracted agencies facing fines with lower dollar amounts, according to the press release:
“The agency also cited Fiske Inc. for serious violations including failure to protect employees from hazardous atmospheres, and failure to provide hydrogen sulfide detection training. OSHA proposed $99,306 in penalties. HD Builders was cited for violations including failure to have a written hazard communication program and failure to provide training on detecting hydrogen sulfide for which OSHA proposed a $14,897 penalty.”
According to the press release, the three agencies have about three weeks to respond, “The companies have 15 business days from receipt of their citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA, or contest the findings.”
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
