Inspection Detail

Inspection: 300801313 - Gayton Corporation

Inspection Information - Office: Fresno District Office

Investigation Summary

At 12:30 a.m. on January 23, 2001, an accident involving a golf cart colliding with a live-haul semi trailer occurred at the Floral Ranch 1 in Kerman, California. Employee #1 has worked at this ranch off and on for approximately one and a half years and his principle duties are to ensure that there are no dead chicks inside the coops as well as general ranch grounds maintenance. On a frequent basis, the golf cart is utilized for moving the chick carcasses to the dumpster for disposal as well as for the transportation of both Employee #1 and other employees who work at Floral Ranch 1. The cart was utilized on a regular basis in the dark despite the lack of appropriate lighting. At the time of the accident, Employee #1 and Employee #2 were leaving the break shack after a break to continue their work removing dead chicks from the hatchery and other general cleaning tasks. The employees had been working since 2:00 p.m. on January 22, 2001. After leaving the shack, the two employees traveled southbound on the gravel road that bisects the Floral Ranch 1. As they traveled, Employee 2 noticed that they were about to collide with the live-haul trailer that was situated between coops Number 13 and 14. Just as the cart was about to collide with the trailer, Employee #2 jumped from the cart while Employee #1 remained in the golf cart. The cart continued to travel until Employee #1 collided with the trailer. After the accident, Employee #2 called Emergency Services from the break shack to summon medical assistance and then returned to the side of Employee #1 to provide comfort. The Fresno County Sheriff's Department was the first to respond to the accident followed by CDF. Employee #1 was transported by helicopter to University Medical Center in Fresno, California. As a result of medical evaluation, it was discovered that Employee #1 had sustained a fractured mandible, broken teeth, and facial injuries.

Keywords: FRACTURE, HEAD, COLLISION, CONCUSSION, TRAILER, CART