PASCO, Wash. – A fertilizer manufacturer in Pasco is facing a $394,200 fine for its alleged connection to the death of one of its workers, according to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).
L&I says that on June 7, 2024, Viktor Voloshin, a 54-year-old truck driver for Two Rivers Terminal LLC, was seen on surveillance video climbing into a tanker truck with a hose to clean fertilizer residue.
L&I inspectors report that the residue created hydrogen sulfide gas that killed Voloshin.
The nearly $400,000 fine comes from a combination of three willful serious, five repeat serious and three serious violations for allowing Voloshin to enter a permit-required confined space without air monitoring, attendants, ventilation, protective equipment or a way to communicate.
Lack of training for situations involving chemical hazards and working in confined spaces also netted the company a citation, per an L&I release.
At the time of Voloshin’s death, Two Rivers Terminal was also facing and appealing two other safety citations from L&I from 2022 and 2023, totaling $672,320.
“Mr. Voloshin’s death was completely preventable,” said L&I Division of Occupational Safety and Health Assistant Director Craig Blackwood. “Two Rivers Terminal continues to ignore the safety rules despite being fined over and over again. We hope this significant fine will motivate them to do the right thing to protect their workers.”
Two Rivers Terminal is reportedly appealing this most recent case. NonStop Local reached out to the company for a statement and is awaiting a response.
