OSHA Accident Investigation · Summary #221604713
PUREWAL CUSTOM HARVESTING
MADERA, CA—
Event description
Employee is killed when caught in auger
Investigation abstract
At 11:45 a.m. on September 30, 2023, employees were engaged in the heavy equipment-assisted harvesting of pistachios. The specialty harvesting equipment that was in use was a Make: CEO, Model: B8E-21-275. The guarding on the CEO was less than 7 feet from the work level and did not meet guarding requirements of 3446(a). Employees at the worksite used a pole to clean out branches that become lodged in the augers, when old growth tree limbs fell in the hopper. Employee #1, an equipment operator, was found caught in the auger by coworkers nearby, shortly after the accident. Employee #1 suffered crushing and lacerating injuries and was killed. There were no witnesses to the accident.
Victim
-
#1 Fatality Age 68 M
- Event type
- 14
- Occupation code
- 7020
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