Inspection Detail

Inspection: 312911795 - Wallace Barthuli Farms

Inspection Information - Office: Fresno District Office

Investigation Summary

On the morning of May 12, 2009, Employee #1, a 29-year-old agricultural laborer, was preparing to spray an orange orchard, in Orange Cove, CA. Employee #1 filled the Model Number D-2/40 Air-O-Fan diesel-powered sprayer tank with water and fertilizer. He then started the engine, and was preparing to engage the fluid pump/fan transmission. As he walked up to the access and leaned in to reach the gear lever, he slipped and reached out with his left hand to stop his fall. Employee #1's hand landed on the fluid pump drive belt guard. His second and third digits went under the guard and into the in-running nip point created by the belt and pulley, resulting in partial amputation of his fingers. The investigation determined that the proximate cause of Employee #1's fall was water on the ground from filling and washing of the sprayer. The investigation found that the guard had an elongated relief for the input housing of the pump. Investigators measured clearance at the midpoint of the pump input housing at 0.5 inch. Apparently, the belt-pulley inset was 0.75 inches forward of the midpoint, and clearance at that point widened to more than 1 inch. Apparently, the configuration allowed the pump to be moved during adjustment of the belt tension, and the fixed guard did not comply with 8CCR 3944(a). The employer did not provide documentation of safety and health programs and employee training upon request by the Division. Therefore, the Division deemed that the employer did not have a formal program. A supervisor claimed to have provided informal training for safe tractor operation and the supervisor had completed a "train the trainer" program.

Keywords: AMPUTATED, BELT, AGRICULTURE, FINGER, GUARD, WORK RULES, SLIP, CAUGHT BETWEEN, NIP POINT, PULLEY