Dangerously Close Quarters: Confined Space Work Accidents in New Mexico

At approximately 8:30 a.m. on the morning of June 26, 2022, the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of two workers found at an oilfield site near the intersection of U.S. Highway 82 and Turkey Track Road east of Artesia, New Mexico. When deputies arrived on the scene, they found that the men were unresponsive and were not breathing. The NM Office of the Medical Examiner pronounced both dead soon after.

According to an investigation into the incident by the New Mexico Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) office, the men, aged 45 and 46, were working for A&R Services. At about 8:00 a.m. as they were emptying and cleaning an open-topped frack tank at the site, they were exposed to lethal levels of hydrogen sulfide. They were working alone at the remote oil and gas services location, and the incident went unwitnessed.

Storage tanks, silos, pipelines, and similar confined spaces present significant risks for workers, particularly in states like New Mexico where industries such as oil and gas, agriculture, and manufacturing are prevalent. These spaces are large enough for workers to enter and perform specific tasks (often cleaning or maintenance), but they have limited means of entry or exit and are not designed for continuous occupancy. These factors put workers in danger of suffering catastrophic injuries or death when safety standards are not followed to the letter.

Suffocation, structural collapse, fires, exposure to hazardous gases, and explosions are all risks posed by confined spaces when New Mexico employers fail to put safety first.

Types of Confined Spaces & Their Risks

New Mexico's diverse economy includes significant agricultural, industrial, and public works sectors, all of which feature confined spaces that pose unique hazards to workers.

Here's a closer look at the types of confined spaces that workers in New Mexico often face:

Storage Tanks & Silos
New Mexico's agricultural sector is extensive, with more than 20,000 farms and ranches spread across the state. Storage tanks and silos are integral components of these operations, used for storing grains, feed, and other materials. Agricultural workers face risks of engulfment and suffocation due to the nature of these stored materials.

Sewers & Manholes
Cities like Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Las Cruces have extensive sewer systems that require regular maintenance. Workers who must enter sewers, storm drains, and manholes face risks of toxic gas exposure, potential drowning, and physical injuries due to cramped working conditions and hazardous biological waste.

Boilers & Pressure Vessels
Industrial facilities, including manufacturing plants and energy production sites, are common in New Mexico, especially in the San Juan Basin. Confined spaces in this sector are typically boilers and pressure vessels, which present risks of burns, explosions, and exposure to hazardous chemicals. Monitoring pressure levels and maintaining equipment are crucial to preventing accidents.

Pipelines & Ducts
New Mexico is a major player in the oil and gas industry, with extensive networks of pipelines and ducts crisscrossing the state, particularly in regions like the Permian Basin. Workers in this industry face significant risks of fire, explosion, and exposure to toxic substances while working in or near pipelines and ducts. Constant monitoring and maintenance are essential to prevent catastrophic failures and ensure worker safety.

The Scope of the Problem

From 2011 to 2018, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that 1,030 workers died from occupational injuries involving confined spaces across the United States. The annual figures during this period ranged from a low of 88 deaths in 2012 to a high of 166 in 2017.

Several key factors contribute to the high rate of injuries and fatalities in confined spaces:

• Many confined spaces have low oxygen levels, which can lead to asphyxiation. This is often caused by chemical reactions, rusting metals, or biological processes that consume oxygen.
• Confined spaces can accumulate toxic gases such as hydrogen sulfide, methane, or carbon monoxide, posing serious health risks.
• Workers can be engulfed by materials such as grain, sand, or liquids, leading to suffocation or crushing injuries.
• The restricted entry and exit points in confined spaces make it difficult for workers to escape quickly in emergencies, greatly increasing the risk of injury or death.
• Inadequate lighting and visibility in confined spaces can lead to accidents, such as trips, falls, and collisions with equipment.

60% of Confined Space Fatalities Are Would-Be Rescuers

It isn’t only the workers inside confined spaces who are at risk of harm. Other workers and rescue personnel, such as firefighters, may also be in danger if they attempt to respond to an emergency and rescue a worker in a confined space. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), would-be rescuers account for more than 60% of confined space fatalities.

In one tragic incident in 2017, three construction workers lost their lives while working underground beneath a newly paved road. The first worker entered the hole to investigate a rotten egg smell that nearby residents had been complaining about and then collapsed, spurring the second worker to enter and attempt to rescue him. The second worker also collapsed, and a third worker entered to try to help, only to succumb as well. A volunteer firefighter who responded to the incident was also left in critical condition.

All three workers died from exposure to lethal levels of hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide, and OSHA cited the contractor with 10 serious violations, totaling nearly $120,000 in fines.

Employers Must Minimize Confined Space Dangers

Even in occupations with higher inherent risks, such as oil and gas operations or manufacturing, employers in New Mexico must promote safe work environments. They must actively mitigate the risks associated with confined spaces through proper safety training, equipment, and procedures.

Employers must follow fundamental safety measures set forth by OSHA for confined spaces:

• Workers must be trained in confined space hazards and safety procedures.
• Confined spaces must be regularly tested for oxygen levels, toxic gases, and flammable atmospheres before workers enter and while they are inside.
• Proper ventilation systems must be used to maintain safe air quality within confined spaces.
• Workers must be provided with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) before entering a confined space, such as respirators, helmets, and harnesses.
• Permit-required entry systems must be implemented to ensure that all necessary safety precautions are in place before workers enter a confined space.
• Emergency response plans must be established and rehearsed to facilitate swift—and safe—rescue operations if a confined space incident occurs.

When employers fail to implement these measures, workers pay the price—sometimes with their lives. These companies must be held accountable, not only to help injured workers and families recover and rebuild, but also to set a higher standard and to prevent future tragedies. No matter what.