A state agency intends penalising Norton Creek Farms Inc USD8,400 for serious violations contributing to a 2 August carbon monoxide fatality.

The occupational safety and health division of North Carolina's department of labour says the employer failed to have a written hazard communication program for those working with liquid propane gas (LPG) and other chemicals. Further, the employer had no material safety sheet for LPG, "which was being used to fuel a Nissan forklift that was being used to load trailers", the citation says.

A division compliance officer notes that Norton Creek Farms acted immediately to abate the situation in its cooler building. High levels of carbon monoxide overcame two employees inside a 53 ft. (16.2 m) semi-trailer with no ventilation. One worker died, and the other was hospitalised for three days.

The incident occurred at the company's Prentiss Bridge Road facility in the unincorporated Fulchertown community of Macon County, south of Franklin.

Jennie Pittman Cagle, district supervisor, says Norton Creek Farms has indicated that it will request an informal conference about the citation, but, as of 4 November, the agency has not received a written request from the agricultural operation.

Wayne Garfield Moss of Cashiers, North Carolina does business as Norton Creek Farms.