OSHA hands fine to Magic Valley dairy farm after death of worker

OSHA, or Occupational Safety and Health Administration, handed Sunrise Organic Dairy two fines totalling $5,600 dollars on Tuesday in relation to the death of Ruperto Vazquez-Carrera on Feb. 16.

The first fine is listed as "serious" and is for a total of $4,900. On their website OSHA lists this as the reason for the fine:

"OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to immersion drowning hazards in an earthen holding pond (manure pit): a) West Dairy, South end of corral #30: On February 16, 2016, and at times prior thereto, employees performing dairy cow feeding operations at various times during daylight and hours of darkness, were exposed to an unguarded, unidentified non-enclosed manure pit. Employees drove feeding trucks along the edge (parallel) and straight towards (perpendicular) the edge of the manure pit. Note) Abatement certification AND documentation are required for this item."

The second fine is classified as other and is for $700 dollars. On their website OSHA says the reason for the fine is "Failure to Abate Event History."

Sunrise Organic Dairy will have the opportunity to appeal the fine.

KMVT attempted to contact both Sunrise Organic Dairy and OSHA on Sunday, but had no success. We will update you when we receive more information.