Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 130380.015 - Employee develops Valley Fever after exposed to Coccidioides

Accident Summary Nr: 130380.015 -- Report ID: 0950633 -- Event Date: 09/15/2020
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
1497598.015	10/13/2020		922160	City Of Victorville

Abstract: An employee was engaged in assisting with the response to a wildland fire in the San Joaquin Valley between August 23 and August 28, 2020. The employee was engaged in wildland fire activities that involved disturbing soils with various tools. Dirt was also being stirred up by strong winds. The employee was exposed to Coccidioides, a fungus which lives in dirt, and developed coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) and pneumonia. The employee was hospitalized at St. Mary Medical Center in Apple Valley and Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Ontario. Using NIOSH-approved respiratory protection with particulate filters rated as N95, N99, N100, P100, or HEPA may have prevented the exposure to Coccidioides. The Division found no violations, as the employer was unaware of the hazard.

Keywords: Fire, Fire Brigade/Department, Fire Fighter, High Wind, Infectious Disease, Pneumonia, Respirator, Soil

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Age	Sex	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	1497598.015	41	M	Hospitalized injury		Fire Fighter

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