Washington Dairy Appeals Safety Fine After Worker's Death
A Mabton, Wash., dairy is appealing a state fine that was levied after an investigation into a worker who drowned in March.
The Yakima Herald-Republic reports that Randy Vasquez drowned March 4 in a manure storage lagoon at Riverview Ranch.
The state Department of Labor and Industries fined Riverview $6,800 in July for three violations of safety standards. The department says the lagoon lacked warning signs, the pond lacked protective fences and rescue equipment was not stored nearby.
Riverview has appealed the decision and will receive a hearing before a hearing officer. The owner, John Banks, says the three penalties should be included in one.
