Abstract: On September 23, 2011 a self-employed individual was salvaging parts from old equipment, which was apparently located at a scrapyard. At the time of the accident, he was attempting to dismantle an axle from a two-wheeled equipment trailer, while lying down on his back under the trailer. When he removed some bolts holding the axle, tension within the assembly was released. The axle spun around and hit him the face and the upper part of his body. The local fire department was called by the yard's owner. A member of the rescue personnel pronounced him dead at the scene. The Huntington Beach, California, police department reported the incident to Cal/OSHA on the same day. In the absence of any employer-employee relationship, Cal/OSHA lacked jurisdiction.