OSHA Inspection: FOUR SEASON FARMS

Issued

Dec 23, 2011

Abate by

Feb 8, 2012

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,185 Reduced

General-duty citation text

North Carolina General Statutes 95-129(1) of the Occupational Safety and
Health Act of North Carolina: The
employer did not furnish to each of his employees conditions of employment
and a place of employment free
from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or
serious injury or serious physical
harm to employees exposed to hazards of heat-related illness:
a)Tobacco field located at G.P.S. coordinates N3502.910, W07734.854, on
Weyerhaeuser Road,
Jones County North Carolina, where, on July 28, 2011, employees doing
outdoor farmwork were
overexposed to hot, humid conditions while cropping tobacco. One employee
suffered heat stroke
and secondary myocardial infarction and respiratory failure due to heat
stroke. Four Season Farms
failed to implement and follow practices that sufficiently protected
workers from the health
hazards of heat stress.
Abatement Notes: Among others feasible and acceptable abatement methods to
correct the hazard would
be: 1) to communicate directly with employees at the farm worksite to
insure they have the information
and instruction necessary to understand, prevent and respond to stress
illnesses; 2) to implement
procedures for contacting emergency medical services (EMS) when employees
suffer such illnesses.