Editor’s note: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated Craig Blackwood is the assistant director of Pace International. It has been corrected to reflect his role as the assistant director of the Washington Department of Labor and Industries.
TUMWATER, Wash. – Two Washington companies are facing fines after a worker died in a fruit storage room.
Pace International LLC and Stemilt Growers are facing fines of up to $650,000 after a worked walked into an apple storage facility and suffocated.
The oxygen had been removed from the room where the apples were kept helping preserve the apples.
A Stemilt employee had unlocked the door for the worker even after an oxygen monitor alarm sounded. He then left the employee there to work alone without an attendant to monitor safety.
Another employee of Pace noticed the lack of activity from the oxygen deficient room from across the street and when he went to check on him, he was unresponsive.
The assistant director of L&I’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health, Craig Blackwood, said that the incident was preventable.
“Both companies own a piece of this preventable tragedy. When just one worker showed up for Pace, the Stemilt operator should have asked, ‘Why are you alone? Where is your attendant? Where is your oxygen tank?’” said Blackwood.
Pace International LLC 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 and one serious violation related to confined space rules to protect workers.
A spokesperson for Stemilt said the company believes there are errors in the state’s release that contradict the facts listed in an incident report. Stemilt is appealing the citations.
“The well-being of all our employees and contractors will continue to be our priority,” Stemilt spokesperson Brianna Shales said.
