Washington, D.C. -- OSHA has proposed $794,456 in penalties against Woodland Pulp LLC after it found that the company exposed workers to deadly hydrogen sulfide gas, resulting in the death of two workers, the agency announced Thursday, July 30.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said an investigation revealed that Woodland Pulp workers on Jan. 27 were exposed to high concentrations of uncontrolled hydrogen sulfide gas during a cold weather shutdown. Additionally, on March 7, a chemical fire broke out after the company released 4,400 gallons of 50 percent hydrogen peroxide that mixed with accumulated wood pulp, the agency said.

Twenty-year-old chemical engineering intern Kasie Malcolm and 26-year-old process engineer Allen Hornberger died of complications of hydrogen sulfide exposure when they were working at the Woodland Pulp mill in Baileyville, the Maine medical examiner's office determined.

OSHA's investigation found that the mill failed to provide adequate gas alarms and appropriate breathing equipment for workers. The agency also cited the company for allowing an overflow of wood pulp to accumulate in storage areas, contributing to the hazardous conditions.

The agency issued citations outlining the safety violations and proposed penalties totaling $794,456.

OSHA records show the Woodland Pulp Mill has been inspected 13 times over the past nine years, with 14 violations identified during that period. In 2017, a separate chemical exposure incident in the same area of the mill resulted in the hospitalization of 14 employees.

The mill has 15 days to comply with the citations, request an informal conference with OSHA, or contest the agency's findings.