Cal Fire: OSHA inspections and violations

Incident on Nov 26, 2013: Employee is struck by tree and suffers broken pelvis

On November 26, 2013, Employee #1 was performing brush clearing and bucking oper ations. He placed his chainsaw on the ground to take a restroom break. He walked back to section up a 12 in. diameter tree that he had previously cut, when the tree rolled and struck him. Employee #1 was transported to a medical center, whe re he underwent surgical procedures for a broken pelvis and postoperative treatm ent and was then hospitalized.

Incident on Jul 16, 2013: Employee slips and factures leg

On July 16, 2013, Employee #1 was performing physical training, which included r unning sprints. As he was running, he planted his left foot and slipped. Employe e #1 heard a snap and experienced intense pain in his lower leg. Employee #1 was transported to a hospital for his injuries, which consisted of a broken lower l eg and involved fractures to his fibula and tibia. He was hospitalized for two d ays during which he underwent surgery on the fractures in his lower leg.

Incident on Jul 20, 2012: Two firefighters experience heat exhaustion

On July 24, 2012, two employees were working as firefighters for CAL FIRE, forma lly known as the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. They exp erienced heat exhaustion while on duty. The Division had no jurisdiction, as the incident occurred in Mexico.

Incident on Jan 4, 2012 (fatal): Inmate firefighter dies after training hike

On January 4, 2012, Employee #1, an inmate firefighter, collapsed during an eval uation training hike and died later that day. The supervising employer (Cal Fire ) had been delivering training in a classroom, followed by a short hike at the e nd of the day. The cause of death was determined to be unrelated to the hot cond itions at the time of the incident.

Incident on Nov 12, 2011: Employee is paralyzed during fire fighting incident

On November 12, 2011, Employee #1, of Cal Fire, was fighting a fire in a structu re. Employee #1 was struck by a gable from a roof that had collapsed. Employee # 1 was transported to the hospital for treatment of serious injuries, which inclu ded paralysis from the waist down.

Incident on Sep 23, 2011: Worker clearing brush sustains laceration from chainsaw

On September 23, 2011, Employee #1 was working for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire. He was an inmate at a California Depa rtment of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Conservation Camp. He was one of the members of the California prison system who performed work for Cal Fire. Th is organization was different from the California Conservation Corps. Employee # 1 was assisting in a brush clearing operation. He was close to a chain saw opera tion, where the chain saw blade was in a bind. He stepped in to push on the stan ding tree that was binding the saw blade. When the saw blade was freed, it kicke d out and came into contact with Employee #1's left thigh. He sustained a deep l aceration that required hospitalization.

Incident on Jun 24, 2011: Employee suffers dehydration

On June 24, 2011 Employee #1, a Cal-Fire seasonal Fire Fighter, became sick and was transported via ambulance to Sonora Regional Medical Center for nausea. Empl oyee #1 ate a sandwich that was in his vehicle on a hot day without refrigeratio n. Employee #1 became ill while training to suppress a structure fire. Employee #1 was taken to hospital for dehydration, and it was discovered that he had eate n the sandwich, and then became ill. Employee #1 was admitted into the hospital for observation after I.V. therapy. Employee #1 was released then next morning.

Incident on Jul 18, 2009: Employee suffers heat exhaustion, is hospitalized

At approximately 6:00 p.m. on July 18, 2009, Employee #1 was working on a brush fire, helping set up a progressive hose lay and doing wet mop up work with a cow orker. Employee #1 experienced symptoms of heat exhaustion and was not feeling w ell after being exposed to the weather, which was approximately 105 degrees Fahr enheit and relative humidity of approximately 20 percent. Employee #1 was nausea ted, had a headache, felt light headed and was low on electrolytes. Employee #1 was taken by paramedics to the hospital where he was hospitalized and observed f or two and a half days for possible work related symptoms of heat exhaustion.

Incident on Jun 11, 2009: Firefighter becomes over-hydrated during training

On June 11, 2009, Employee #1 was participating in a fire department training ex ercise and became over-hydrated. He was hospitalized for treatment of an electro lytes imbalance.