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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 1529824.015 - Mendoza Bros Harvesting
Inspection Information - Office: American Canyon District Office
Site Address:
Mendoza Bros Harvesting
601 Mund Rd
Saint Helena, CA 94574
Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 5784, Santa Maria, CA 93456
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:
NAICS: 115116/Farm Management Services
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 10/25/2021
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 08/29/2022
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 1763992 | ||
| Inspection | 1529833 | Yes |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 1 | 3 | 4 | |||
| Current Violations | 1 | 3 | 4 | |||
| Initial Penalty | $18,000 | $0 | $0 | $6,200 | $0 | $24,200 |
| Current Penalty | $10,800 | $0 | $0 | $1,400 | $0 | $12,200 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001 | Other | 342(A) | 10/25/2021 | $1,000 | $5,000 | $0 | 12/01/2021 | O - Administrative Law Judge Order | ||
| 2. | 01002 | Other | 3203(A) | 10/25/2021 | $200 | $600 | $0 | 12/01/2021 | O - Administrative Law Judge Order | ||
| 3. | 01003 | Other | 3421(B) | 10/25/2021 | $200 | $600 | $0 | 12/01/2021 | O - Administrative Law Judge Order | ||
| 4. | 02001 | Serious | 3427(C)(3) | 10/25/2021 | $10,800 | $18,000 | $0 | 12/01/2021 | O - Administrative Law Judge Order |
Investigation Summary
At 11:45 a.m. on April 26, 2021, an employee was working as a farm laborer for a harvesting service that was performing cultivation and maintenance of a vineyard. The employee and Coworker #1 were working under the direction and supervision of Coworker #2, the manager, on a property recently affected by wildfires. The employee and Coworker #1 were working in a burned area doing brush and small tree removal. They were using chainsaws to cut down trees. Coworker #1 instructed the crew not to cut down trees larger than 7-inch in diameter. The employee was cutting a tree that was approximately 9-inch in diameter at its base about waist height using the chainsaw. Because of the lack of training and experience, the employee cut the tree without using proper procedures (a notch or back cut to establish a hinge) when felling the tree. As a result, the tree fell uncontrollably in the employee's direction striking him in the leg. The employee was hospitalized for more than 24 hours to treat a fractured lower right leg.
Keywords: Agriculture, Agriculture Machinery/Vehicle, Blunt force, Blunt force trauma, Cutting, Falling Object, Farm, Farm Machinery, Farm worker, Fracture, Inexperience, Insufficient Supervision, Laborer, Lack of Work Procedures, Leg, Misjudgment, Misjudgment of Hazardous Situation, Staffing Agency, Struck By, Tree, Tree Felling
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1529824.015 | 30 | M | Hospitalized injury | Farm workers |