Inspection Detail

Inspection: 313226094 - Schreiner Farms, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Sacramento District Office

Investigation Summary

On April 25, 2009, Employee #1, a tractor driver, was fertilizing a field on the outskirt of Sacramento, CA and located in Robbins, CA. He was operating a John Deere track tractor pulling an ammonia injector implement. Employee #1 set the automated speed and steering system, which allowed the tractor to move through the field with little input. While in the cab, he felt a muscle cramp or spasm and got up to stretch. He then decided to exit the cab to relieve himself even though the tractor was moving down the field. He fell off the tractor landing feet first and then tried to remount the tractor but his foot slipped off the step and was crushed underneath the moving tire. Employee #1 pushed himself away from the tractor but landed on the ground and quickly became entangled in the implement and was dragged down the field until the tractor hit a dirt embankment. A coworker saw the tractor without an operator and was able to stop the tractor and give aid to Employee #1. Personnel from the Robbins Fire Department arrived and airlifted him to Mercy San Juan Medical Center in Carmichael, CA. He sustained fractures to the left leg that required several surgeries and a tissue graft. After receiving medical attention, he was hospitalized for approximately 17 days.

Keywords: DRIVER, CRUSHED, FALL, SLIPPERY SURFACE, STRUCK BY, TRACTOR, LOST BALANCE, FOOT