Worker died from hydrogen sulfide exposure at Suncor refinery

A Texas worker died in February 2023 from exposure to hydrogen sulfide at Suncor Energy’s oil refinery in Commerce City, 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 freeze caused catastrophic damage to the plant’s refining equipmentforcing it to close for almost three months in early 2023.

On Feb. 21, 2023, Suncor announced a vapor leak at its refining equipment while the plant was closed, and Williams was exposed to toxic fumes, including hydrogen sulfide, while working there, according to the lawsuit filed Wednesday in Adams County District Court.

Williams underwent a health evaluation for respiratory problems but was ordered back to work, the lawsuit said. Following the incident, the refinery announced a “completely clear” call for employees to return to work and no injuries were reported to the public, according to a Feb. 21, 2023, public notice from Suncor.

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

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

The lawsuit did not specify what type of work Williams did, nor how long Williams may have been dead in his hotel room before his co-workers found him.

Williams was wearing a monitor manufactured by Honeywell Safety Products that should have alerted him that he had been 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 supplying defective equipment, and accuses HPC Industrial Services of gross negligence for sending its employees into a dangerous workplace without proper training.

Williams’ family is seeking an unspecified amount of financial damages.

Suncor and HPC Industrial Services knew their policies, procedures and equipment were inadequate and yet provided instructions on the work to be performed, the lawsuit said.

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

“Contrary to Suncor’s assessment that ‘no immediate community action (was) required,’ supervisors warned neighbors to take precautions,” the lawsuit said.