A 31-year-old Vickery farm worker died from inhaling gas from pig manure that was used for fertilizer, according to federal investigators.
The foul odors that arise with manure spreading are not just unpleasant, they can be deadly, OSHA Toledo area director Kim Nelson warned.
The deceased man who loaded manure into trailers was found on the farm unresponsive. He was overcome by exposure to hydrogen sulfide gas, which is rapidly absorbed by the lungs, according to OSHA.
Symptoms from hyrdogen sulfide gas overexposure can come on suddenly and quickly overcome a worker, Nelson said.
W.E. Soil Enhancement was cited by OSHA for three serious safety violations on March 18 after OSHA completed its investigation into the Vickery farm worker's October 31 death, the U.S. Department of Labor reported.
"It is imperative that farm workers are protected from inhaling these gases," Nelson said.
