Remember our page of interactive maps showing the most dangerous cities for American workers? We’ve just added the latest data from 2015 with updated rankings and new observations. We also improved our method for mining the data to give you a more accurate view. So where does your city rank now?

Hydrogen Sulfide Safety

Hydrogen sulfide is an extremely dangerous gas known for its smell which is similar to that of rotten eggs. It is sometimes referred to as sewer gas or swamp gas. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health describes hydrogen sulfide as an acute toxic substance that is the leading cause of sudden death in the workplace.

Hydrogen sulfide occurs naturally as a product of the breakdown by bacteria of organic materials including sewage. It is also present in crude oil, natural gas, and in hot springs. Hydrogen sulfide gas can also be produced as a result of certain industrial processes such as wastewater treatment, and drilling and refining of petroleum and natural gas. Other industries that can produce the gas are paper mills, tanneries, and coke ovens. There is a liquid compressed form of the gas also.

The greatest danger of hydrogen sulfide gas is through inhalation. The gas is absorbed rapidly through the lungs and at high levels can cause chemical asphyxiation, affecting the body’s ability to utilize oxygen and adversely affecting the central nervous system. Although the gas has a strong, unpleasant odor, being continuously exposed to low levels can cause a person to lose his or her ability to smell it because of what is known as olfactory fatigue. High concentrations of the gas can also have this effect, so that relying on one’s sense of smell is not a reliable way to detect it.

Even at low levels of concentration the gas causes irritation of eyes, nose, throat, and throughout the respiratory system. At high concentrations it can cause convulsions, shock, inability to breath, coma, and death, in some cases almost immediately.

Precautions must be taken where hydrogen sulfide is present. These should include testing and monitoring air quality for the presence of, and level of, the gas; providing adequate ventilation if the gas is present; and, if the gas cannot be removed, providing appropriate respiratory protective equipment for a person entering a space where the gas is present. OSHA’s confined space entry standard has specific requirements to follow for identifying and monitoring such toxic gases in confined work spaces. It also is necessary to monitor anyone who works in areas that contain hydrogen sulfide for signs of overexposure.

Recently the former president of Port Arthur Chemical and Environmental Services, LLC (PACES) entered a guilty plea in federal court for violating the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) in allowing employees of his company to be exposed to hydrogen sulfide without protection, resulting in the death of an employee. Not only did he not provide protection from exposure to employees, but he was charged with falsifying transportation documents to conceal the presence of wastewater containing hydrogen sulfide that his company was shipping. These actions led to the death of truck driver Joey Sutter in December of 2008 from exposure to the gas while transporting the wastewater.

The company president, Martin Lawrence Bowman, could receive up to five years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines when sentenced. His corporation is facing a fine of up to $500,000 for each violation.

Numerous governmental agencies were involved in the investigation of the case, including the EPA, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Texas Environmental Enforcement Task Force, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Houston and Port Arthur Police Departments, OSHA, the District Attorney’s Offices of Travis and Harris counties, the Houston and Port Arthur Fire Departments, and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Not only did this employer fail to create and follow a plan to protect employees from the known exposure to this dangerous substance, but he purposely avoided doing so, choosing profits over the safety and lives of his employees. Employers have a responsibility to ensure the safety and health of their employees. Workers have the right to a safe and healthy workplace.

Tornado season is once again upon us. Businesses should prepare for the possibilities of tornadoes by creating an emergency plan to try to keep employees as safe as possible. A good emergency plan should include such details as where to take shelter and accounting for all personnel. Consideration should also be given to any hazardous materials that are on the premises.

Basements or storm cellars, or other underground areas provide the best shelter from a tornado. If no such underground shelter is available, then an interior room or hallway on the first floor of a building, away from doors, windows, or outside walls is best. Avoid auditoriums, gymnasiums, or cafeterias, with wide, flat roofs.

If caught outdoors, personnel should see out a sturdy building or basement. If no building is within walking distance, one can try to drive to a nearby shelter. To protect oneself from flying debris if driving, either stay in the vehicle with seat belt on, covering your head with your hands or a blanket. If a low area such as a ditch is near, lie in that area, covering your head with your hands.

Within the workplace, procedures should be developed to prepare for the possibility of tornadoes. An emergency plan should include a system for knowing and accounting for who is in the building at the time of an emergency.  A plan should be created to communicate emergency warnings to employees with limited English speaking skills, and also employees with disabilities. As employees and visitors or customers enter the shelter area, take a head count or use a checklist to account for everyone. The plan should include assigning responsibilities to workers during an emergency, with alternate employees for backup as well. Workers should be trained and the plan practiced so that everyone will know what to do in case of an actual emergency.

An emergency supply kit should be kept on hand. Some basic items to include are a NOAA Weather Radio, and other battery powered radio, a flashlight with extra batteries, a first aid kit, dust masks, plastic sheeting and duct tape, and a three day supply of food and water. A more complete list of items to include in an emergency disaster kit can be found at http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1390846764394-dc08e309debe561d866b05ac84daf1ee/checklist_2014.pdf.

More detailed information and resources on how to prepare for tornadoes is available in both English and Spanish on the OSHA website at http://www.osha.gov/dts/weather/tornado/index.html.  Information on tornado response and cleanup is also available on the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) website at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/emres/tornado.html

Every year on April 28, the anniversary of the date in 1971 when the OSH act went into effect and OSHA was officially established, the U.S. Department of Labor and other occupational safety and health organizations in the U.S observe Workers’ Memorial Day. The day honors workers who have died from occupational injuries or illnesses during the previous year. In 1985 Workers’ Memorial Day became an official holiday in Canada. It has been recognized in the U.S. since 1989, and since that date spread worldwide. The day is now known as International Workers’ Memorial Day.

In Washington, D.C. a ceremony was held on April 29 attended by the acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Set Harris, Assistant Secretary Dr. David Michaels, who heads the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and Assistant Secretary Joe Main, director of the Mining Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Also in attendance were family members of workers who died during the past year. A panel discussion was also held on occupational safety and health protections for temporary workers.

President of the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) Allan K. Fleeger said, “This day of remembrance is especially poignant as we mourn those lost in the explosion in Texas. Our thoughts are with those affected by this tragedy, and we remember all workers who have suffered or died while on the job. AIHA’s members and volunteers are committed to the continued improvement of worker health and safety.”

Also remembered were those who died in the recent collapse of a building that housed a garment factory in Bangladesh. At least 348 workers died in that disaster and five people have been arrested for their responsibilities in the tragic occurrence.

National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Director Dr. John Howard spoke about the 80% drop in work-related deaths in the United States during the past century. However, he pointed out, “It is important to recognize that progress is only a relative term as long as anyone faces a risk to life or well-being at work.”

Dr. Howard talked about current initiatives that NIOSH is focusing on. “Falls are a basic cause of serious injury and death at work, and they continue to impose human and economic costs on the construction industry. Financial experts agree that a robust construction industry is a key ingredient for sustained economic recovery and growth. A robust industry must be free of injuries that impair and kill workers. On April 28, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and its diverse partners will re-launch their national information and media campaign to prevent falls, fall-related injuries, and fall-related deaths in construction.

“As the market for nanotechnology expands, scientists and engineers have a historic opportunity to design prudent exposure-control measures into the processes by which carbon nanotubes and other nanomaterials are manufactured and incorporated into final products. NIOSH’s Current Intelligence Bulletin on carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers, issued this week, provides model recommendations that will support the safe growth of nanotechnology as scientists continue complex research to fully understand its occupational safety and health implications. In this way, we advance beyond the 20th Century practice of introducing new materials into the workplace and only later, as an afterthought, considering questions of worker risk.”

A number of facts have come to light regarding the recent fire and explosion at the West Chemical & Fertilizer Co. plant. Although there are plenty of federal and local standards and laws in place to insure occupational and environmental safety, something didn’t work to prevent the tragedy that occurred in West, Texas this past week. 

Facilities which store and use hazardous chemicals are required to follow certain safety standards and procedures. West Chemical & Fertilizer Co. had reported to the Environmental Protection Agency that the worst possible hazard from the 54,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia stored and used at the plant would be a 10-minute release of ammonia gas which would not injure or kill anyone. Another possible problem, they said, could be a leak from a hose used to transfer the material, but this also was considered as not presenting a risk of injury. However, in 2006 a complaint was filed with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality stating that there was a “very bad” smell of ammonia at the plant. The agency investigated and cited the company for failing to obtain or to qualify for a permit. 

A review of the records also found that the most recent inspection by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of the plant was 1985. At that time, OSHA issued a $30 fine for a serious violation for storage of anhydrous ammonia. Although the plant was cited for 4 other serious violations of respiratory protection standards, they negotiated a settlement under which they only paid the one fine of $30, although the maximum fine for a serious violation at the time was $1,000. Due to OSHA’s lack of adequate numbers of inspectors, many workplaces can go without inspections for years. 

Another consideration which has been discussed was the wisdom of the zoning that allowed schools, nursing homes, and houses to be built in such close proximity to a fertilizer plant that housed a 12,000 gallon tank of volatile substances. It has been suggested that part of the safety planning should have included zoning considering that the type of explosion resulting from these chemicals not only destroyed the facility but seriously damaged the surrounding, injuring and killing people in the area.

It is clear that these possible contributing factors in the tragedy are the results of many different causes including lack of funding for agencies such as OSHA, so that there are an inadequate number of inspectors to conduct regular and timely safety inspections of workplaces such as this one.

Another consideration which has not been mentioned in the press, but is readily available is that of safety training, such as the OSHA Authorized Outreach Training available for workers and supervisors. If employees are well-trained in safety standards and in identifying safety hazards in the workplace, then they can report safety hazards that are not being rectified by employers to OSHA or other appropriate governing agencies at all levels to alert them of the need for enforcement. This type of feedback could prove invaluable in saving lives by making sure that safety standards are followed or enforced. If everyone participates in and takes responsibility for safety then perhaps tragedies like the one at the West Fertilizer plant could be averted in the future.