Another Farm Worker Death; Another Law Not Enforced
BAKERSFIELD – A report investigating the death of farm worker Eladio Hernandez by Cal OSHA found farm labor contractor YNT Harvesting in serious violation of several health and safety standards.
The contractor was fined nearly $26,000 stemming from the death of Hernandez in May 2007.
The report’s findings reveal that YNT’s thoughtless and careless disregard for these regulations lead to Hernandez’s death.
Among the findings outlined in the report:
• The field was located in a remote, isolated location and the employer failed to provide the crew boss proper equipment or a telephone communication system for contacting a doctor to avoid unnecessary delay in treatment. As a result, medical treatment was delayed and an employee of YNT Harvesting FLC died on 5/9/07.
• During the course of the investigation it was determined that the employer did not provide employees written emergency procedures, as required by law
• During the course of the investigation it was determined that employees were not acclimatized. Seasonal employees were working in elevated temperatures and the employer had not addressed the importance of acclimatization, as required by law.
The UFW will hold a press conference to discuss the report findings.
WHEN: 11:30 a.m., Friday, Jan. 18, 2008
WHERE: 2115 Kern St., Suite 370, Fresno, CA
WHO: Armando Elenes, external organizing director, UFW; Eladio Hernandez family members will be available for phone interviews
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NR 01-2008