Accident Report Detail
Accident Summary Nr: 201692845 - Employee Struck by Beam, Sustains Fracture and Lacerations
| Inspection Nr | Date Opened | SIC | NAICS | Establishment Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 309151470 | 11/20/2007 | 4953 | 562219 | Solag Inc Dba C R & R |
Abstract: On October 22, 2007, Employee #1, a welder, was working at a waste and recycle hauler company. Besides welding, Employee #1's regular job consisted of repairing conveyor belts, changing conveyor belts, working on other parts and performing special projects. The company was in the process of constructing a construction and demolition facility. Employee #1's supervisor assigned him to work with another employee drilling holes into I-beams. Prior to drilling, these I-beams were to be moved to another area so the work could be better performed. The supervisor stated that each I-beam was 19-ft long and weighed approximately 900 pounds. At the outdoor work-site, the I-beams were lying in an "H" position and stacked three-high with two I-beams per row. This alignment prevented the forks of the fork lift from being placed directly under the I-beams. Employee #1 and his coworker came up with their own procedure on how to move these I-beams, because the company did not have any procedures for this. Their procedure involved bringing the Hyster forklift (Model Number S50XL, Serial Number B187V04024M) to the side of the I-beam stack with the forks raised to the level of the top I- beams. A chain was then attached via a hook to the far end of the I-beam they wanted to move and the other end of the chain was attached to the carriage section of the forklift just above the forks. Once attached, the forklift would be moved backwards until the I-beam slide off the top. The result left the I-beam at an angle (i.e., one end on the ground, one end in the air and the midsection resting on the stack). At this point, the chain would be removed. The forklift would then be repositioned with one of the forks placed under the section of the beam in the air. The forks would be raised just enough so a 4-in. by 4-in. block of wood could be placed under the raised I-beam. The I-beam was then lowered. The forklift was then repositioned so both forks could be placed under this raised I-beam, and the I-beam could be moved to the new location. Due a previous commitment, the supervisor was not at the work-site, and there were no other supervisors onsite to oversee the job. This procedure worked for the removal of the first, top I-beam. Employee #1 operated the forklift and the coworker placed the block of wood under the I-beam. Before removing the second, top I-beam. Employee #1 and the coworker switched roles. With the chain connected, the coworker started to back up the forklift. Employee #1 remained next to the stack of I-beams. The coworker stated that the beam lifted, turned and then fell. Employee #1 attempted to get out of the way, but the I-beam struck his lower left leg. Employee #1 sustained deep lacerations and fractured bones and was hospitalized.
| Employee # | Inspection Nr | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 309151470 | Hospitalized injury | Fracture | Welders and cutters |
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