Translate
Inspection Detail
Note: The following inspection has not been indicated as closed. OSHA citation items will be posted 30 (thirty) days after the employer receives the citation(s), except in cases of significant public interest. Posted citation items reflect any amendments to citations that are the result of a prompt settlement, which OSHA encourages. Employers and employee representatives will continue to receive copies of the citation(s) upon issuance.
Inspection: 1709611.015 - Empower Farms, Llc
Inspection Information - Office: Fort Lauderdale Area Office
Site Address:
Empower Farms, Llc
34270 Southwest 192nd Avenue
Florida City, FL 33034
Mailing Address:
2990 Ponce De Leon Blvd Ste. 500, Coral Gables, FL 33134
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:
NAICS: 424910/Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
Inspection Type: Fat/Cat
Scope: Complete
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 11/09/2023
Emphasis:
Case Closed:
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 2101242 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||
| Current Violations | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||
| Initial Penalty | $16,131 | $0 | $0 | $4,610 | $0 | $20,741 |
| Current Penalty | $16,131 | $0 | $0 | $4,610 | $0 | $20,741 |
| 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 | Serious | 5A0001 | 04/22/2024 | 05/02/2024 | $16,131 | $16,131 | $0 | 05/16/2024 | C - Contested | |
| 2. | 02001 | Other | 19040039 A01 | 04/22/2024 | $4,610 | $4,610 | $0 | 05/16/2024 | C - Contested |
Investigation Summary
At 2:36 p.m. on October 26, 2023, an employee was changing a hydraulic coupling adapter for the auger attachment (Bobcat, Auger, 30C Auger, Serial Number 944534633) onto the skid steer tractor (Bobcat T590, Compact Skid Steer, Track Loader Model, ID no. ALJU24957). The farm manager found the employee lying on the ground in front of the skid steer tractor. According to the farm manager, the employee was breathing shallowly and was coherent. There are no cameras on the premises, and no one witnessed the event. The farm manager called 911 immediately upon realizing that his employee had fallen to the ground. Paramedics arrived and took the employee to the hospital, where he died that same day. Doctors initially claimed that he died of cardiac arrest. Following Detective Rodriguez' review, he ordered an autopsy that disclosed that the employee had striations in his liver, marks on his chest, and a broken rib. The cause of death has not been disclosed by the Medical Examiner to date. It was postulated that the employee removed hydraulic pressure to the auger attachment, and it lowered on top of him. The employee might have been able to escape on his own and may not have mentioned the incident to the farm manager. The injuries sustained eventually led to his death. The exact object that harmed the employee cannot be known for sure.
Keywords: Auger, Broken Bone, Cardiac Arrest, Chest, Couplings, Crushed, Falling Object, Heart Attack, Hydraulic, Hydraulic Equipment, Liver, Rib, Skid Steer loader
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1709611.015 | 53 | M | Fatality | Farm workers |