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: 1785986.015 - Performing Animal Welfare Society

Inspection Information - Office: Modesto District Office

Investigation Summary

At 12:00 p.m. on November 2, 2024, an employee working as an animal caretaker for an animal welfare society was asked to come into work on his day off that Saturday. The employee had performed his regular duties cleaning elephant enclosures with Coworker #1 and Coworker #2. The employee informed his coworkers that he was going to move the work truck to the second elephant enclosure area to pickup the waste. The employee entered the work truck and started the engine. Coworkers heard the engine rev and radioed to the employee. When there was no response, a coworker went to the truck and found the unresponsive. Coworkers reported the incident to Coworker #3 (supervisor) and began CPR. Coworker #3 called 911 and emergency responders arrived and tried to revive the employee, but were unsuccessful. After 25 minutes, the employee was pronounce dead at the scene. The employee had died from sudden cardiac death, acute congestive heart failure, and massive acute myocardial infarction.

Keywords: Animal, Animal Handler, CPR, Cage, Cardiac Arrest, Cardiovasc Disease, Cardiovasc System, Cleaning, Heart, Heart Attack, Injury Illness Prevention Program, Medical Condition, Medical History, Preexisting Condition, Respiratory, Respiratory Tract, Truck, Underlying Medical Condition