Inspection Detail

Inspection: 316670777 - Castro'S Cleaning Service, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Van Nuys District Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 1:49 p.m. on July 20, 2013, Employee #1 and Coworker #1, temporarily hired by a residential and commercial carpet cleaning and water restoration company, were working at a residential building, the home of the employer's next door neighbor. They had been hired to replace a wood fence. Coworker #1, who had 33 years of experience as a roofer, brought his own Skil Saw. He was cutting all the wood boards for the fence. Employee #1 was assigned to level the dirt and haul wood. The employer, who was on site, instructed Employee #1 not to use any power tools. According to the subsequent investigation, Employee #1 decided to make a cut on one of the boards. The saw blade cut through the board and into his right knee. The employer transported Employee #1 to an urgent care medical facility, but it was closed. He then took Employee #1 to the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, where Employee #1 was treated for a 10-inch long laceration to his right knee and hospitalized for under 22 hours. The employer notified Cal/OSHA at 10:35 p.m. on July 23, 2013. Cal/OSHA initiated its investigation at 8:55 a.m. on August 9, 2013. The investigation included interviews with both Employee #1 and Coworker #1. The investigation concluded that there was no employer knowledge. Cal/OSHA did issue the employer General citations for CCR, Title 8, 1509(a); CCR, Title 8, 1509(b); CCR, Title 8, 3395(f)(1); and CCR, Title 8, 3395(f)(3).

Keywords: BOARD, KNEE, MACHINE OPERATOR, CONSTRUCTION, SAW, LACERATION, FENCE