The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries on Wednesday said it fined two central Washington companies over the asphyxiation of an agricultural worker in October 2023.
The agency cited Pace International LLC and Stemilt Growers for “willful” and “serious” violations over the workplace death, which took place as the employee was applying a fungicide to apples to help with preservation.
Pace International was fined $574,000 for eight “willful serious” and two “serious” violations related to confined space hazards and disturbing the scene.
Stemilt Growers was fined $76,300 for one “willful serious” violation and one “serious” violation related to confined space rules designed to protect workers.
On the day of the fatality, the Pace International employee was working inside a controlled atmosphere room when a Stemilt worker’s oxygen monitor alarm sounded to alert oxygen deficiency, the agency stated.
The Stemilt employee never alerted the Pace International worker, and instead allowed him to continue working in the hazardous condition, according to the agency.
Another Pace International employee later found their co-worker unresponsive.
The agency said Pace International, which was placed in the Severe Violator Program, appealed its fines, while Stemilt Growers didn’t file an appeal.