Inspection Detail

Inspection: 315077453 - Etchegaray Llc Dba Etchegaray Farms

Inspection Information - Office: Fresno District Office

Investigation Summary

On August 30, 2012, Employee #1, a 56-year-old tractor operator worker with Etchegaray Llc Dba Etchegaray Farms did not return home after his shift ended which caused his spouse to go to the field that he was ripping. On arrival she found the John Deer Model 4290 tractor parked with engine running next to the road with Employee #1 still in the cab, at the controls. Employee #1 was unresponsive and the spouse contacted the Tulare County Sheriff's Department. The responding Deputy moved Employee #1 from the cab to rendered CPR, which was unsuccessful. Employee #1's supervisor stated that he ate lunch with Employee #1 and did not observe any behavior to indicate he was ill. Another supervisor observed Employee #1 operating the tractor at about 4:00 p.m. The path of the tractor, evidenced by the ripped ground was straight until about 150 feet from where the tractor was stopped. At that point, the path deviated; towards a company truck that was parked then turn sharply to the right and jack-knifed the right tract against the implement. The Tulare County Coroner's Office preliminary findings were that Employee #1 succumbed from a myocardial infarction. The Division inspected the new model tractor that was equipped with an air condition enclosed cab and found it to be in good operating condition, including the air conditioning.

Keywords: HEART, AGRICULTURE, HEART ATTACK