(Reuters) – Valero Energy A total of $1.75 Million has been assessed against three contractors and (NYSE:) for safety violations relating to the death of a worker at the refinery’s 145,000-barrel-per-day facility in Benicia. The state regulator stated on Thursday.

The 35-year-old worker had died from suffocating in a confined space in which leaking argon, an odorless gas, had displaced oxygen, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health said https://www.dir.ca.gov/DIRNews/2022/2022-42.html in a statement.

According to the regulator, Valero and two of three contractors were found guilty of “willful and grave violations” of safety rules for confined spaces.

The investigators concluded that the employer either knowingly violated or failed to take reasonable steps to correct a “known hazard” that could lead death or serious injury.

Total Safety, a contractor, was found guilty of six serious and willful violations. The maximum penalty was $988,000. Valero, on the other hand, was penalized $528,750.

Reuters asked Valero or Total Safety for comments but they were not available immediately.