Death of Worker, Who Spoke of Heat-Illness-Related Symptom, Could Have Been Prevented, OSHA Says
The farmworker said they experienced “fatigue and leg pain.”
- By Alex Saurman
- Jul 05, 2023
On January 1, 2023, a farmworker was found “unresponsive” after showing signs of heat illness. Now, OSHA is saying that the tragedy could have been prevented.
While working for about five hours on a farm in Parkland, Florida, where the heat index almost reached 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the worker spoke of fatigue—a symptom of heat exhaustion, per OSHA and the California Department of Industrial Relations— and leg pain, according to a news release and the citation.
Just one day before, the worker, aged 28, had traveled to the U.S. from Mexico with a work visa.
"The first day of 2023 was this young worker's last because his employer failed to take simple steps to protect him from heat exposure, a known and dangerous hazard," said OSHA Area Office Director Condell Eastmond in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in the news release.
OSHA announced last week that it was citing the contractor, Rafael Barajas, for one serious violation and proposing $15,625 in penalties. The agency also said that the contractor “could have prevented his death by following established safety practices regarding heat-related hazards.”
The young worker was not the only one to speak of heat-illness-related symptoms.
"Had Rafael Barajas made sure workers were given time to get used to working in high temperatures and provided them with water, shade and rest, the worker might not have lost his life,” Eastmond continued.
About the Author
Alex Saurman is a former Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety,who has since joined OH&S’s client services team. She continues to work closely with OH&S’s editorial team and contributes to the magazine.