Inspection Detail

Inspection: 307485714 - Le Farm Owned By Thong Le

Inspection Information - Office: Dallas Area Office

Investigation Summary

On July 20, 2004, Employee #1, a farm worker, was found dead in a field approximately 1.5 hours after having been observed operating a tractor with a grass-mowing attachment cutting tall grass. No direct witnesses to the event were found. The two employers speculated that Employee #1 had dismounted the tractor while it was still in motion because the tractor was found in gear with its engine stalled out and barbed wire wrapped around the mower's cutting blades. Employee #1's body was found with multiple deep lacerations on the back of his head, torso and legs. He had worked as a farm hand for six months, during which he had received training and experience in operating the tractor and other farm equipment. The farm's co-owner reported never having previously observed Employee #1 dismount the tractor while it was still in motion. There were no indications, nor reason to believe, that Employee #1 was ill or had his judgment impaired by drugs or alcohol before the accident.

Keywords: HEAD, AGRICULTURE, WORK RULES, FARM MACHINERY, TORSO, LACERATION, LAWN MOWER, TRACTOR, LEG