Inspection Detail

Inspection: 315076455 - Ag Force Llc

Inspection Information - Office: Fresno District Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 9:30 a.m. on July 19, 2012, Employee #1 was working as a field laborer for Ag Force LLC. He was harvesting peaches in the vicinity of Selma, CA. Employee #1 had started work at 6:00 a.m. He began feeling ill at 8:00 a.m., at which time he took a previously scheduled 10-minute work break. At approximately 9:30 a.m., Employee #1 experienced body numbness. He stopped sweating, his skin was hot and dry, his legs and neck fell asleep, and his vision was blurred. Employee #1 reported his condition to his crew boss, who directed him to rest in the van. At approximately 11:30 a.m., Employee #1 went to his crew boss to report that he was experiencing stomach pain and that he felt that he was going to vomit. The crew boss directed the van operator to transport Employee #1 to Adventist Community Hospital in Selma, CA, where he was treated for dehydration and released within two hours. On July 26, 2012, he notified the Division that he had suffered a heat illness episode on July 19, 2012. A subsequent review of medical records by the Division's medical unit found no evidence that heat stress played a role in this episode. Employee #1 claimed that he had access to shade and water, although he also alleged that he could not drink enough water to satisfy his thirst. The employer provided documentation to support compliance with 8CCR 3203, 3395 and 3457. Findings of the Division's medical unit support the view that there was not convincing evidence that exertional heat stress played a role in this case.

Keywords: EYE, AGRICULTURE, WORK RULES, NAUSEA, SKIN, HEAT EXHAUSTION, HIGH TEMPERATURE, VOMIT