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�- mow'' Pquly THOMAS R. FLINN P.O.Box 1W.1810 E.HAZELTON AVENUE DIRECTOR STOCKTON,CALIFORNIA 98201 `P.. (209)468-3000 FAX(209)468-2999 e.coee+ www.co.san-joaquin.ca.us THOMAS M.GAU DEPUTY DIRECTOR JAMES F.PAYTON Warlemg fcw YOU BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR STATE OF CALIF. MANUEL SOLORIO DIR-DOSH DEPUTY DIRECTOR Received STEVEN WINKLER DEC 2 2 2 DEPUTY DIRECTOR December 20, 2002 Modesto District Office Mr. John Caynak District Manager Division of Occupational Safety and Health 1209 Woodrow, Suite C-4 Modesto, California 95350 SUBJECT: COMPLAINT-NORTH COUNTY LANDFILL Dear Mr. Caynak: On December 6, 2002,I received your letter dated December 3, 2002, concerning a complaint which your office received alleging the following conditions at San Joaquin County's North County Recycling Center and Sanitary Landfill (NCRC&SL): "three to four scrapers on top of the landfill operating in excess of 40-45 mph;and were within 20=30 feet,of the employees." I have thoroughly investigated the alleged incident. As you can appreciate, it was difficult to determine the exact time, date, and location of the incident reported. I have not been able to substantiate the claim. However, last week, at a meeting with the Department of Environmental Health Inspectors,we were informed that they had filed a complaint with the Division of Occupational Safety and Health. In responding to the alleged incident, I am assuming that you are referring to the complaint by the Environmental Health Inspectors. BACKGROUND: The County of San Joaquin owns and operates the NCRC&SL on Harney Lane about eleven miles east of the City of Lodi. The facility operates from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m, seven days a week, and has a staff of 27 employees. The equipment at the site includes one D8 dozer, one landfill compactor, and two earth scrapers. The landfill consists of about 200 acres of landfill space, and about 120 acres of buffer zones. The landfill space is designed to be landfilled in stages called modules,three of which are nearing capacity. The County is in the process of developing module number four. It was necessary to excavate about 20 acres prior to developing the project. Therefore, the County hired Ford Construction Company to excavate and stockpile soil from the module. The contractor performed the work during the month of October 2002, using several 657E Cat scrapers. As part of the work, the contractor was asked to transport three to nine loads of soil to the top of the landfill to be used by County employees to cover the landfill working area at the end of the day. This work was performed between the period of October 7, 2002 through October 24, 2002,primarily before the landfill opened at 7:00 a.m.