Inspection Detail

Inspection: 300279874 - S And S Contractors

Inspection Information - Office: Erie Area Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 1:30 p.m. on November 23, 1998, Employee #1, the crew leader, and two coworkers, were lowering the first section of a modular home onto its foundation. Earlier that day, the crew had prepared the site by setting the roller beams and modular beams and by installing all the rolling equipment so the modular section could be moved approximately halfway across the foundation. Because of the high wind conditions, the modular section could not be rolled by handwalking it into place on the west side of the foundation. Instead, additional winch equipment had to be installed so the coworkers could position the section. After winching the modular section into place on the west side of the foundation, the first coworker began to separate the north side roller beam sections to facilitate lowering them onto the foundation. Once this section was apart, the coworker gave the wrenches to Employee #1 so he could separate the south side roller beam sections. After the north side had been separated, the crew noticed that the modular section had become very unstable. Apparently, the wind had increased to the point that the jack stands on the north side began to move. Employee #1 and the second coworker grabbed the jack stands to steady the movement as the wind blew against the home. Employee #1 continued to separate the south side roller beam section, so the modular section could be lowered from the jack stands onto the foundation. At this time, both coworkers told Employee #1 that the wind was moving the jack stands. Before Employee #1 could complete separating his splice plate, one of the coworkers yelled to him that the jack stands were rolling over and coming down. The two coworkers ran toward the outer foundation wall, away from the falling modular section. Employee #1 jumped from his 6 ft stepladder, attempting to escape through the garage door opening. As the jack stands rolled over, the modular section moved inward from the north side toward the center of the basement and struck the center support I-beam, which rolled off its pier supports and fell to the ground. The north side of the modular section fell into the basement, while the south side came to rest on top of the foundation wall. The modular section broke apart at the living room area from the excessive stress on the cathedral ceiling portion of the roof. The coworkers escaped injury by standing between the wall supports on the foundation. Employee #1 was pinned beneath the modular section at the point where it had broken. The coworkers left the basement and yelled for help. Employee #1 was pronounced dead at the scene from head and body trauma.

Keywords: HIGH WIND, INSTALLING, UNSECURED, PINNED, CONSTRUCTION, MOBILE HOME, MECH MAT HANDLING, FALLING OBJECT, JACK, UNSTABLE POSITION