SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — The state of Washington has reached a settlement with Gebbers Farms to spend more than $2 million improving housing, quality of life, safety and access to health care for farm employees and their families.
The Washington state Department of Labor & Industries announced the settlement Wednesday in a case that involved one of the largest workplace safety and health fines in state history.
Gebbers Farms, located in Brewster, was fined $2 million and $13,000 after two inspections in 2020 found 24 egregious willful violations — 12 for unsafe sleeping arrangements in temporary worker housing and 12 for unsafe worker transportation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Two farmworkers died from coronavirus while living and working on the farm.