Cal/OSHA cites farm labor contractor for serious heat-related safety violations

Cal/OSHA cited a farm labor contractor in Dixon for failing to protect its employees from heat illness.

The inspection was opened in June after reports that the employer had fired farm workers who left their shifts early during a heatwave because of inadequate protection.

Cal/OSHA cited Ruiz Farm Labor of Dixon $17,550 for three serious category violations of the California Heat Illness Prevention Standard.

An inspection was launched on June 13 following reports that the farm labor contractor removed a group of farm workers, known as the Yolo Six, after they left their shifts early during a heat wave .

Cal/OSHA’s investigation determined that the employer did not:

• Implement high heat or emergency response procedures.
• Provide effective heat illness prevention training for supervisors and non-supervisory employees.
• Follow your own written heat illness prevention plan to acclimatize employees during the first 14 days of work in direct sun and temperatures that have reached over 95 degrees.

The Office of the Labor Commissioner is investigating the alleged retaliation and the Agricultural Labor Relations Board is investigating the unfair labor practice claims farm workers filed against Cooley Enterprises, Inc., the company that hired Ruiz Farm Labor Contractor.

TOPICS
Workers Compensation Agribusiness Contractors