Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 201145471 - Employee injures leg when struck by cooling fan blades

Accident Summary Nr: 201145471 -- Report ID: 0950631 -- Event Date: 05/17/2004
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
305353948	05/25/2004	1794	238910	Mesa Contracting Corporation

Abstract: On May 17, 2004, Employee #1 was conducting a routine inspection of a Caterpillar tractor scraper, Model Number 651-B, when he observed a hydraulic fluid leak. To further investigate the source of the leak, he climbed on top of the engine compartment of the tractor. Access to the top of the tractor was provided by a swing-type wire rope step, which led to an intermediate platform located near the engine in the front section of the tractor. The platform was 36 inches by 30 inches and was 54 inches above the ground level. The top cover for the engine was 46 inches above the intermediate platform and there was no step between this platform and the top to facilitate the 46 inch climb. After determining the source of the leak, Employee #1 was climbing down from the top of the engine to the intermediate platform when his right leg became caught in the cooling fan that was running next to the platform. He suffered multiple fractures to his right leg and was hospitalized for 4 days. The fan did not have a protective cover.

Keywords: FRACTURE, ROTATING PARTS, FAN BLADE, REPAIR, GUARD, MECHANIC, STRUCK BY, TRACTOR, LEG

Accident Details
End Use		Project Type		Project Cost	Stories	Non-building Height	Fatality
Commercial building		New project or new addition		$20,000,000 and over	2

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Age	Sex	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	305353948			Hospitalized injury	Fracture	Heavy equipment mechanics

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