According to a report from HR Grapevine, an Arizona company has been fined after a worksite incident that resulted in one fatality and several injuries. The Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) proposed a fine of more than $15,000 for an incident in which workers were attacked while handling a known beehive site. Tragically, a 65-year-old worker was killed as a consequence of the bee stings. The bees in question were part of an “Africanized” bee colony, which can be especially dangerous. Within this article, our Phoenix workers’ comp lawyer provides a more comprehensive overview of the incident, the safety regulations, and what employers should do to keep workers safe.
Construction Workers Were Sent to a Known Bee Hive Without Proper Safety Precautions
As confirmed in reporting from HR Grapevine, an Arizona construction company (C&J Builders Inc. based in Goodyear) has been fined $15,370 by ADOSH. The workplace safety sanctions following a fatal bee attack and multiple other worker injuries at a Scottsdale job site in July of 2025. Tragically, a 65-year-old worker named Nicolas Lopez Zoto died after being stung numerous times on the job site. The terrible incident happened when his crew disturbed a known hive while using a lift to remove stucco from a concrete column at an assisted living facility. Notably, two other workers sustained dozens of bee stings and they required hospitalization.
There were a number of different safety violations that contributed to the incident. To start, ADOSH’s investigation found that the company did not provide protective equipment. Investigators also determined that the contractor failed to warn workers of the beehive hazard and that it failed to maintain required injury and illness records for three years. For its part, C&J Builders Inc. gave no indication as to whether or not it intends to appeal the fine.
These Bees Were Part of Dangerous Colonies that are Spreading in Arizona
Bees are posing an increasing safety risk to workers in Arizona and throughout the Southwestern United States. These bees in the Scottsdale, AZ incident were Africanized honeybees; or as they are often called “killer bees.” They are a hybrid species formed when African honeybees were introduced to South America in the 1950s and interbred with European honeybees. They spread north into the southern United States, including Arizona.
What makes them especially dangerous is their extreme defensiveness. They react faster, attack in greater numbers, and pursue perceived threats far longer than typical honeybees. While their venom is no more potent than that of other honeybees, the intensity and duration of the swarm make their attacks far more lethal. Another big issue is that Africanized colonies are also more likely to nest in human structures or equipment, increasing accidental encounters at worksites.
A Proactive Approach to Safety is a Must: For outdoor laborers and construction crews in Arizona, the beehive threat must be taken seriously. Employers need to be proactive. By identifying and controlling bee infestations before beginning work, they can reduce the risk of an attack.
Beehive Control in Arizona: Best Practices for Workplace Safety
The tragic incident that happened in Scottsdale over the summer is a stark reminder of the extreme risk posed by beehives. For most people, a single bee sting is just something that hurts. For those with allergies, it can be dangerous. However, even for those without allergies, an attack by a beehive can cause severe injuries, potentially death. Arizona’s warm, arid climate makes it a hotspot for Africanized honeybees. Employers whose workers operate outdoors (construction, landscaping, maintenance, etc) must take proactive steps to identify and control bee activity. Worker safety must be a high priority. Here is an overview of best practices to reduce the risk of bee attacks:
- Inspect Worksites: Routine inspections of worksites can go a long way towards reducing the risk of bee attacks. Before beginning any outdoor project, supervisors should inspect the job site for visible hives, swarming activity, or bee flight patterns around structures, vegetation, and equipment. Beehives often form in roof eaves, wall voids, irrigation boxes, and in construction materials. These places should be carefully monitored.
- Work Pest Control Professionals: If you find a large beehive, that does not mean the project needs to be abandoned. However, the hive should not be removed by untrained people, including workers. Only trained and licensed pest control specialists should attempt to remove or relocate a hive. In Arizona, pest control companies must follow state Department of Agriculture regulations governing removal and chemical treatments.
- Develop a Bee Response Plan: Employers in many outdoor industries, including construction, can benefit from developing and implementing a comprehensive bee safety response plan. A written emergency response plan is essential. The plan should outline communication procedures, evacuation routes, and designated safe zones. Workers should be trained to move calmly to an enclosed area or vehicle if bees swarm.
- Provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Finally, workers need the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) for the specific situation that they are facing at a worksite. In this case, the company working in Scottsdale was sanctioned because workers were not properly provided with the right PPE. When working near identified hives, employees should wear light-colored, smooth clothing and avoid strong scents. For high-risk tasks such as vegetation removal or demolition, specialized bee suits and head coverings may be warranted.
We Represent the Families of Workers Killed On the Job in Arizona
The loss of a spouse, parent, child, or other loved one to a workplace accident is devastating. It can be especially hard to process if the accident happened, at least in part, due to the employer’s failure to take the proper safety precautions. At Arizona’s Work Injury Firm, we are committed to fighting for justice for grieving families. With a proven history of case results, our Arizona work injury lawyers have the legal expertise needed to take on all types of workplace death claims.
Call Our Arizona Workers’ Comp Attorney for a Free Case Review
At Arizona’s Work Injury Firm, our Arizona workers’ comp attorneys are compassionate, experienced advocates for grieving families. If you lost a close loved one to a workplace accident, we are here to help you fight for justice. Call us at (877) 370-5788 or contact us directly online for a free, no obligation initial consultation. With an office in Phoenix, we handle work accident cases in Maricopa County and throughout the entire region.