ASSOCIATED PRESS

August 10, 2009

Government fines farm in worker death case

DECLO, Idaho (AP) - A southern Idaho farm has been fined $3,500 by federal work safety officials over the death of a 41-year-old farm employee in February.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration levied the fine against Nature Farms, of Declo. It followed an investigation into the death of Victor Enriquez-Padilla.

Investigators say Enriquez-Padilla fell into a livestock feed mixer and was killed Feb. 19. A police report states that the victim was washing the mixer while standing on a ladder, then lost balance and fell in through an access hole on top of the mixer.

The fine was reached as part of a settlement with Nature Farms.