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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 306359290 - Zepeda'S Farm Labor Service
Inspection Information - Office: Fresno District Office
Site Address:
Zepeda'S Farm Labor Service
Lassen And Oakland
Huron, CA 93234
Mailing Address:
1811 Dairy Ave, Corcoran, CA 93212
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:0761
NAICS: 115115/Farm Labor Contractors and Crew Leaders
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: Y
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Health
Close Conference: 02/17/2006
Emphasis: S:Agriculture (Aship)
Case Closed: 07/14/2008
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 361711062 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Current Violations | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||
| Initial Penalty | $13,500 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $13,500 |
| Current Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $250 | $0 | $250 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001 | Other | 3203 A07 | 02/17/2006 | 03/21/2006 | $250 | $6,750 | $0 | 04/21/2006 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 2. | 02001 | Serious | 3457 C01 A | 02/17/2006 | 03/21/2006 | $0 | $6,750 | $0 | 04/21/2006 | F - Formal Settlement |
Investigation Summary
On August 17, 2005, Employee #1, on his second day of harvesting lettuce seeds in Huron, CA, worked for eight hours in temperatures that reached 100 degrees Fahrenheit (F), with 15 percent relative humidity. Employee #1 was required to wear a long sleeve shirt, gloves, hat and dust mask. Water was available and frequent water breaks were encouraged by the employer. Harvesting is performed by a crew, a tractor operator, two cutters and four beaters. Cutters cut the plant and throw it into a metal gondola, where the beaters thrash the plant and discard it. Seeds weighing up to 500,000 pounds are transferred to a canvas and raked to separate debris. Prior to working with the seed harvesting, Employee #1 was weeding cotton in temperatures reaching 110 degrees F and was presumed to be well acclimated to the high temperatures. Thirty minutes after work, Employee #1 exhibited hallucinations, vomiting, and lost consciousness. He was transported by ambulance to Hanford Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead with a body temperature of 108.5 degrees F.
Keywords: AGRICULTURE, HARVESTER, HEAT STROKE, HEAT EXHAUSTION, OVERHEATED
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 306359290 | Fatality | Heat Exhaustion | Farm workers |