In September 2023, a Mexican farmworker for Barnes Farming died after becoming unwell at work; at the time of writing an investigation is ongoing to determine the cause and time of death. A relative alleged lack of water or breaks from the heat were factor in his death; the family also alleged workers are afraid to lose their jobs if they complain. A statement released by Barnes Farming states a manager called for emergency services after the worker reported feeling unwell and was sent to rest; the statement can be read below.

The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited Barnes Farming to respond to the report and allegations of hot working conditions, as well as to disclose the measures the company is taking to protect workers from heat exposure, and to disclose the steps the company had taken to compensate the worker's family for his death. Barnes Farming's response can be read below.

In November, Farmworker Advocacy Network, It's Our Future, Casa Azul de Wilson and NC FIELD organised a demonstration to call for greater protections for farmworkers from heat.

In March 2024, the Raleigh News & Observer reported Barnes Farming was fined over USD187k folllowing a Department of Labor investigation which revealed three serious violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of North Carolina. The violations including findings workers were exposed to heat-realted hazardous working conditions, without sufficient breaks or adequate drinking water. A statement in response from Barnes Farming can be read below.

In July 2025, it was reported that the NC Department of Labor reduced the fine to USD3,750 and deleted the “willful” citation it had issued. Under a settlement, Barnes Farming agreed to send field supervisors to safety training, review its heat exposure policies, and drop public records-related litigation against the state, according to reporting by the News & Observer. This follows challenges to the assumption that the worker's death was heat related following an autopsy.