California Department of Industrial Relations | California Ranch Foods has pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts after the deaths of two workers.
The victims, Baldemar Gonsales and Maria Osyguss, died after a malfunction in the facility’s nitrogen system led to a hazardous gas release on 1 December 2020.
Cal/OSHA’s investigation found critical failures in safety procedures and training related to the handling of pressurized gas systems.
The case stems from a criminal referral by Cal/OSHA’s Bureau of Investigations (BOI) and was prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, California Ranch Foods must:
• Invest $1.6 million in safety improvements at the facility.
• Pay $50,000 to BOI to support enforcement efforts.
• Serve three years of probation.
• Pay a $1 million criminal fine.
• Donate $4 million to local food banks.
• Acknowledge a $35 million civil settlement with the victims’ families.
