Abstract: On November 11, 2008, Employee #1, a construction worker, and a coworker were working in an excavator. After releasing a load of dirt, a coworker began rotating the excavator's arm approximately 180 degrees, to pick up more dirt. While turning the arm, the coworker noticed a dirt chunk flying off the bucket towards Employee #1. Employee #1 was approximately 30 ft to 35 ft away from the bucket. The dirt chunk struck Employee #1 to his back and the top of his head. Employee #1 fractured his C1vertebrae and sustained a subarachnoid hemorrhage. When the coworker saw that the dirt chunk hit Employee #1, he stopped rotating the excavator's arm and went to assist Employee #1. Employee #1 was taken to the Eden Medical Center, where he was hospitalized. Employee #1 was not wearing a hard hat, which was left in a nearby truck. A supervisor was not at the job site, when the accident occurred.