Cal/OSHA Cites Foster Farms, Agencies for COVID-19 Violations

Cal/OSHA has cited Foster Poultry Farms Inc. in Livingston, Calif., and four staffing agencies for not protecting workers from COVID-19.

Cal/OSHA opened its inspection after receiving notification that an employee had died from COVID-19 complications, and subsequently determined that Foster Farms and one of its staffing agencies did not file a timely report the COVID-19 fatality as required.

Cal/OSHA also opened a separate inspection at the facility’s distribution center. Foster Farms used employees from staffing firms. Following is a list of all the entities that were cited for COVID-19 violations (Name of organization — proposed penalties):

• Foster Poultry Farms Inc.- $103,100
• Foster Poultry Farms Inc. (Distribution Center) – $78,400
• Human Bees Inc., DBA Human Bees Staffing – $41,000
• Marcos Renteria Ag Services Inc. – $36,000
• Intermountain Employment Services, DBA Ascend – $18,000
• Staffing Solutions Inc., DBA Balance Staffing – $16,200

Cal/OSHA cited Foster Farms $103,100, for five serious, one repeat regulatory, and two regulatory violations at its Livingston plant; and $78,400 for three serious, one repeat regulatory, and two regulatory violations at the distribution center.

Regulatory violations were issued in both Foster Farms inspections and to Human Bees Inc. for their failure to timely report work-related fatalities. Additionally, Cal/OSHA issued serious violations related to their injury and illness prevention programs, many of which reportedly stemmed from failing to properly communicate, assess, correct, and train on COVID-19 workplace hazards. The third serious violation at the plant was cited for a blocked eyewash station.