OSHA Imposes $246,609 in Fines for Fatal Colorado Dairy Gas Exposure
Federal workplace safety regulators have penalized three businesses for severe safety lapses that resulted in the deaths of six Colorado dairy workers. The tragic incident occurred on August 20, 2025, when a manure pipe disconnected in an enclosed space, releasing highly toxic hydrogen sulfide gas. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced proposed fines totaling $246,609 against the dairy owner and two contractors involved in the manure management system.
Details of the Fatal Incident and Regulatory Actions
The deaths of five men and a teenager shocked the rural communities near Keenesburg, located 35 miles northeast of Denver. OSHA cited dairy owner Prospect Ranch LLC with the largest fine of $132,406 for serious violations, including failures in training, planning, and protecting workers from atmospheric hazards. The company did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Contractors Fiske Inc. and HD Builders also faced significant penalties. Fiske Inc., whose business High Plains Robotics services dairy equipment and employed four of the deceased, was fined $99,306 for failing to protect employees and provide hydrogen sulfide detection training. HD Builders received a $14,897 penalty for lacking a written hazard communication program and training on gas detection.
Expert Insights and Company Responses
William Field, a professor at Purdue University who compiles annual reports on farm deaths in confined spaces, noted that while the fines are substantial by agricultural standards, they are not unprecedented. He highlighted that such penalties often get reduced upon appeal or through safety improvement investments. Field emphasized that civil liability from private lawsuits could far exceed these fines.
In response to the citations, Fiske Inc. and owner Kevin Fiske issued a statement expressing heavy hearts and cooperation with the investigation. They disagreed with the findings but are focused on preventing future tragedies. HD Builders declined to comment on the matter.
Background on the Victims and Hazards
The Weld County coroner’s office confirmed through autopsies and toxicology tests that all six victims died from hydrogen sulfide gas exposure. The incident unfolded when a Fiske employee and a Prospect Ranch worker attempted to stop the gas flow but were overcome, followed by three more Fiske employees and one from Prospect Ranch entering the pump room, leading to the fatalities.
All deceased were Latino, aged 17 to 50, with four from the same extended family working for High Plains Robotics. The victims included Alejandro Espinoza Cruz, his sons Oscar Espinoza Leos (17) and Carlos Espinoza Prado (29), along with Jorge Sanchez Pena (36), Ricardo Gomez Galvan (40), and Noe Montañez Casañas (32). Montañez Casañas, a veterinarian on a U.S. visa, had his remains repatriated to Hidalgo, Mexico.
Broader Safety Concerns in Agriculture
This tragedy underscores the persistent dangers of confined spaces on farms and dairies across the U.S., where odorless, colorless gases like hydrogen sulfide pose lethal risks. First responders from Weld County took safety precautions when dispatched to Prospect Ranch around 6 p.m. on August 20, highlighting the critical need for enhanced safety protocols in such environments.
The companies have 15 days to comply with the penalties, request an informal conference, or challenge the findings before a safety review commission, as the community mourns this devastating loss.
