SALINAS – A Salinas agriculture company, The Growers Company Inc. will have to pay a $125,194 penalty for exposing employees to pesticides.
The incident occurred on Oct. 9, 2023 when a Growers supervisor ordered a crew of 93 fieldworkers into a lettuce field treated with various pesticides less than 24 hours earlier, ignoring pesticide warning signs.
After entering the field, 66 of the fieldworkers developed symptoms consistent with pesticide exposure, including nausea, dizziness, headache and irritation to eyes, nose, throat and skin.
Growers took only 34 of the exposed employees to the doctor for medical evaluation, despite the legal requirement for all exposed employees to receive medical care after an exposure event.
Monterey County District Attorney Jeanine Pacioni announced Monday that Growers would have to pay $125,194 in civil penalties and costs. The judgement also prohibits Growers from violating these requirements in the future.
The Growers supervisor who ordered the employees into the field faced a felony criminal charge, however he has since died.
The incident was investigated by the Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office before being referred to the District Attorney’s Office as a “priority investigation” involving more than five people to become ill from pesticide exposure.
According to the Monterey County District Attorney, The Growers Company was cooperative with the investigation.
