Abstract: At approximately 11:15 p.m. on January 4, 2006, Employee #1 was assisting a coworker who was cutting a 12-in. water pipeline (approximately seven joints, each weighing 2,000 lbs) on a rack approximately 3 ft from the ground. After unsuccessfully attempting to cut a joint with a split frame cutter, they began to reposition the pipe with a bar. The pipe then unexpectedly rolled off the rack, struck Employee #1's back, and knocked him to the ground. He was airlifted to Kern Medical Center, where he was diagnosed with fractured L1 and L2 vertebrae and paralysis to his lower body. Fifteen days later, Employee #1 was transferred to UCLA for back surgery.