Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 202546420 - Worker Incurs Multiple Injuries When Struck by Falling Tiles

Accident Summary Nr: 202546420 -- Report ID: 0950641 -- Event Date: 03/21/2014
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
314867003	04/18/2014	1752	238330	Oscar Pacheco

Abstract: At approximately 7:00 a.m. on March 21, 2014, Employee #1 and Coworker #1, employed by a licensed sole proprietor tile contractor, and Coworker #2, their employer, were working at a retail establishment that was undergoing renovations. They were delivering and unloading floor tiles in the alley behind the building and performing other tile-related work. The tiles were delivered in crates on a flatbed truck. Each tile measured 4 feet by 5 feet and weighed 200 to 250 pounds. There were 19 tiles in each crate. According to Employee #1's subsequent statement, to move the tiles from the truck's flatbed to the inside of the retail site, the three workers dismantled and removed the crates and unstrapped the bundles of tiles. Over the course of two days at the job site, their work included unloading three crates. On March 21, 2014, there were five tiles to be removed from the truck. The first tile was removed, and Coworkers #1 and #2 took it inside the building. Employee #1 remained alone at the truck, holding the tiles and waiting for his coworkers to return. As he waited, he attempted to position one of the tiles, so that it would be ready for removal from the truck. The tiles began to move, and Employee #1 was unable to control them. The remaining four tiles fell and struck Employee #1. Employee #1's right side landed on the bed of the truck, and the tiles landed on his left side. Employee #1 screamed for help. Some drywall workers who were on site and Coworkers #1 and #2 worked to free Employee #1 from under the tiles. Emergency services were called, and Employee #1 was transported to Cedars-Sinai Hospital, where he was admitted and treated for soft tissue injuries to his left arm, left leg, left shoulder, and left hand. He remained hospitalized for two days. This event was investigated by Cal/OSHA. At the time of this report, Cal/OSHA planned to issue the following citations to the employer: Regulatory: 342(a)- Failure to report serious injury; General: 1509(a)- No Injury and Illness Prevention Program; General: 1509(c)- No Code of Safe Practices; Serious Accident-Related: 3704- For the unsecured load of floor tiles.

Keywords: DELIVERY WORK, SHOULDER, CONSTRUCTION, STRUCK BY, ARM, FALLING OBJECT, HAND, CONTUSION, LEG, UNSTABLE LOAD

Accident Details
End Use		Project Type		Project Cost	Stories	Non-building Height	Fatality
Commercial building		Alteration or rehabilitation		$50,000 to $250,000	1

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Age	Sex	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation	Construction
1	314867003			Hospitalized injury	Bruise/Contus/Abras	Occupation not reported	Distance of Fall: feet Worker Height Above Ground/Floor: feet Cause: Interior tile work (ceramic, vinyl, acoustic) Fatality Cause: Struck by falling object/projectile

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