Cal/OSHA Cites Two Employers in Half Moon Bay for Health and Safety Violations Following Investigation into Workplace Violence that Killed Seven

Foster City—Cal/OSHA cited two employers in Half Moon Bay following an investigation into workplace violence that killed seven agricultural workers on January 23, 2023.

Cal/OSHA cited California Terra Garden, Inc. for 22 violations, including five classified as serious and one classified as serious accident-related for failing to have a plan or procedures to immediately notify employees of an active shooter threat and instruct them to seek shelter. Total proposed penalties are $113,800.

Concord Farms Inc. was cited for 19 violations, three of them serious, including failure to address previous incidents of workplace violence and develop procedures to correct and prevent this hazard. Total proposed penalties are $51,770.

Both employers were cited for failing to establish a workplace safety plan that evaluated the threat of workplace violence and train workers in a language they can understand. Both employers were also cited for failure to secure labor camp permits for onsite worker housing.  

A former employee of California Terra Garden, who also previously worked at Concord Farms, is accused of shooting and killing four workers and wounding a fifth at California Terra Garden on January 23 before driving to nearby Concord Farms and fatally shooting three workers there. Other state agencies continue to investigate at the worksites, which may result in additional enforcement actions.

Cal/OSHA has general industry workplace violence tools on its webpage for employers and employees.   

Cal/OSHA helps protect workers from health and safety hazards on the job in almost every workplace in California. Employers who have questions or need assistance with workplace health and safety programs can call Cal/OSHA’s Consultation Services Branch at 800-963-9424.

Workers who have questions about workplace safety concerns can call 833-579-0927 to speak with a Cal/OSHA representative during normal business hours. Complaints about workplace safety and health hazards can be filed confidentially with Cal/OSHA district offices.

Media Contact: Communications@dir.ca.gov, (510) 286-1161

Employers with Questions on Requirements May Contact: InfoCons@dir.ca.gov, or call your local Cal/OSHA Consultation Office

---