It’s a real-life “Caddyshack” scenario but without Bill Murray’s humor and with major environment, health and safety violations.
A Yakima, Washington orchard with a gopher problem has been fined $105,000 for violating laws that require employers to provide respirators and train workers using a toxic pesticide, EHS Today reports.
The Washington Department of Labor & Industries says Gilbert Orchards employees hand-applied a toxic chemical, Fumotoxin, to gopher holes. The pesticide contains aluminum phosphide, which reacts with water to release phosphine gas; workers added water to the gopher holes while wearing improper respiratory protection.
The state fined Gilbert Orchards $14,000 each for three repeat-serious violations. It also fined the company $7,000 each for nine serious violations related to respirator requirements and hazardous chemicals.
Looks like Gilbert Orchards should have called in Carl Spackler.
Photo Credit: gopher via Shutterstock
