Accident Report Detail
Accident Summary Nr: 745323 - Four employees injured in fall with collapsing trusses
| Inspection Nr | Date Opened | SIC | NAICS | Establishment Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 104387691 | 10/26/1988 | 1751 | 0 | Kells Construction Company, Inc. |
Abstract: At approximately 8:00 a.m. on October 25, 1984, Employees #1, #2, #3, and #4 had started erecting wooden trusses for the sanctuary roof of a new church that was under construction. They were using a crane to lift the 40 ft long and 285 lb trusses into place. Between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. they had set 29 trusses into place and thought that they had braced them more than adequately. As the morning progressed, wind velocity picked up. At approximately 11:00 a.m., while employees were working off the north and south walls of the church sanctuary and two employees were up in the trusses, a strong (40 mph) gust of wind blew through from west to east, breaking the bracing loose at the eleventh truss and causing the next 19 trusses to collapse. The collapsing trusses carried the employee at the north end of the trusses to the concrete floor. The employee at the south end of the trusses was knocked over the east cinder block sanctuary wall onto existing masonry scaffolding. The employee on the north wall was knocked inside the building and fell onto the concrete floor and truss debris. Employee #2, on the south wall, was able to maintain his balance and did not fall. Two employees were taken to area hospitals and two employees went to shock trauma. Employees #1, #3, and #4 received severe bruises and strains to various parts of their bodies and one received a scrape to his chin. Apparently, the recommendations for truss installation by the truss plate institute had not been followed correctly. Bracing was not installed properly and the correct size nails were not used.
| Employee # | Inspection Nr | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 104387691 | Non Hospitalized injury | Cut/Laceration | Carpenters | ||
| 2 | 104387691 | Hospitalized injury | Bruise/Contus/Abras | Supervisors; carpenters and related workers | ||
| 3 | 104387691 | Hospitalized injury | Bruise/Contus/Abras | Carpenters | ||
| 4 | 104387691 | Hospitalized injury | Bruise/Contus/Abras | Carpenter apprentices |
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