Inspection Detail

Inspection: 311795819 - Lanier Site Services, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Nc Department Of Labor - Charlotte

Investigation Summary

On January 8, 2008, Employee #1, a veteran truck driver/heavy equipment operator, was working at a site-clearing operation, near a trackhoe that was loading a bay with logs. He left the cab of his truck to walk toward the loading area, apparently to strap down a load of logs. The trackhoe operator was not aware of Employee #1's presence and, in continuing his work, Employee #1 was struck by a moving log. He sustained a fractured skull, fractured ribs, a partially-collapsed lung, and a laceration of his lower left leg. Employee #1 was hospitalized for two to three days and then released, without having to undergo surgery. Employee #1 had walked into the work location without audible or visual communication with the trackhoe operator. The operator later stated that the bar used to tighten load straps was found near where Employee #1 was struck, leading to the assumption that he intended to strap down a load of logs.

Keywords: FRACTURE, LUNG, LOG, WORK RULES, EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, CONSTRUCTION, EARTHMOVING EQUIP, SKULL, STRUCK BY, COMMUNICATION