Contractor Receives Record Fine For Worker's Death (pregnant teen denied access to shade and water)

[Kadie]

Jul 23, 2008 4:02 pm US/Pacific

Contractor Receives Record Fine For Worker's Death


FRESNO (AP) ― The company that hired a pregnant teen who died of heat stroke this spring after working in a Central Valley vineyard has been hit with the highest fine ever issued to a California farm labor contractor.

The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health fined Merced Farm Labor $262,700 Wednesday afternoon for violating eight workplace safety requirements.

State authorities believe 17-year-old Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez died because the company denied her access to shade and water as she pruned wine grapes in nearly triple-digit heat.

Inspectors also found the company deliberately neglected to train workers on how to protect themselves from heat illness.

http://cbs13.com/local/labor.contractor.fine.2.778577.html