A worker at a Suncor refinery died from exposure to hydrogen sulfide

A Texas worker died from exposure to hydrogen sulfide at Suncor Energy’s Commerce City oil refinery in February 2023, his family claims in a new wrongful death lawsuit.

Kurtis R. Williams was sent to work at the Suncor refinery by Texas-based contractor HPC Industrial Services after a sharp deep freeze caused major damage to the facility’s refinery equipmentIt will be forced to close for about three months in early 2023.

Suncor announced on Feb. 21, 2023, that refinery equipment had a steam leak while the plant was shutting down, and Williams was exposed to toxic vapors, including hydrogen sulfide, while working there, according to the lawsuit filed Wednesday in Adams County District Court.

The lawsuit stated that Williams underwent a medical screening for respiratory issues but was sent back to work. Following the incident, the refinery issued an “open” call for workers to return to work, and no injuries were publicly reported, according to Suncor’s public notice dated Feb. 21, 2023.

Williams was found dead in his hotel room by co-workers on Feb. 28, 2023, and toxicology results from the autopsy showed significant recent exposure to hydrogen sulfide, as indicated by elevated levels of thiosulfate, according to the lawsuit.

“Neither Suncor nor HPC initially informed authorities that Mr. Williams had been exposed to toxins at the Subject Plant,” the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit does not specify what type of job Williams did, nor does it say how long Williams may have been dead in the hotel room before his colleagues found him.

Williams was wearing a monitor made by Honeywell Safety Products that was supposed to warn him that he was exposed to dangerous levels of toxic chemicals. The lawsuit claims the monitor failed.

Williams’ survivors, including a child, are suing Suncor, Honeywell, HPC Industrial Services and United Rentals for negligence. The lawsuit also accuses Honeywell and United Rentals of providing defective equipment and HPC Industrial Services of sending its employees to a dangerous workplace without proper training.

Williams’ family is seeking an unspecified amount in financial compensation.

Suncor and HPC Industrial Services knew their policies, procedures and equipment were inadequate and ordered the work done anyway, the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit also alleges that Suncor continued to release sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide into surrounding neighborhoods after Williams died.

“Contrary to Suncor’s assessment that ‘there was no immediate need for community action,’ regulators warned neighbors to take action,” the lawsuit said.