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: 1780571.015 - Goehring Custom Farming Llc

Inspection Information - Office: Fresno District Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 10:00 a.m. on October 2, 2024, an employee exited the office building to assist customers in the vendor display area and attempted to descend a portable wooden stairway on the west side of the building. The stairway, which was not secured, lacked handrails, had improper rise and run dimensions, was narrow, and did not meet safety requirements. As the employee stepped onto the stairway, it shifted and collapsed, causing the employee to fall and strike her head on a door at floor level. Two customers nearby heard the incident and found the employee with the stairway collapsed between her legs and a head injury. The employee was transported to the hospital but died from her injuries on October 6, 2024. The investigation revealed the employer had prior knowledge of the stairway's hazards, including employee reports and the employer's own prior experience with stairway shifting. The unsafe stairway remained in use despite these warnings.

Keywords: Blunt force, Blunt force trauma, Brain, Fall, Fall From Elevation, Fall Protection, Head, Leg, Mobile Stairs, Stair, Traumatic Brain Injury, Unconsciousness, Unresponsive, Unsecured