Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 202715991 - Worker's Finger Is Amputated When Portable Tower Falls

Accident Summary Nr: 202715991 -- Report ID: 0950633 -- Event Date: 09/19/2013
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
316213925	10/16/2013	1731	238210	Optimum Inc

Abstract: At approximately 2:00 a.m. on September 19, 2013, Employee #1 and Coworker #1, of Optimum Inc., were engaged in road demolition work. They were attempting to move a portable light tower 2 to 3 feet in order to sweep dirt and asphalt from under the light tower. Employee #1 positioned himself directly in front of the light tower and grasped the end of the trailer's towing hitch. Coworker #1 positioned himself on the side of the light tower and grasped the trailer's tow bar neck. As both employees attempted to lift and drag the light tower, the trailer jack collapsed. The light tower began to fall. Coworker #1 immediately let go of the tow bar neck. Employee #1, in an attempt to prevent the light tower from hitting the ground, maintained his grip. When the trailer ball attachment hit the ground, it severed Employee #1's left small finger. Emergency services were called, and Employee #1 was transported to the hospital, admitted, and treated for a finger amputation.

Keywords: AMPUTATED, DEMOLITION, COLLAPSE, FINGER, CONSTRUCTION, TRAILER HITCH, ELECTRIC LIGHT--PORT, TRAILER, JACK, TOWER

Accident Details
End Use		Project Type		Project Cost	Stories	Non-building Height	Fatality
Highway, road, street		Demolition		Under $50,000

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Age	Sex	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation	Construction
1	316213925			Hospitalized injury	Amputation	Construction laborers	Distance of Fall: feet Worker Height Above Ground/Floor: feet Cause: Trenching, installing pipe Fatality Cause: Struck by falling object/projectile

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