Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 99312.015 - Employee fractures leg when struck by swinging pipe

Accident Summary Nr: 99312.015 -- Report ID: 0316700 -- Event Date: 09/25/2017
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
1266437.015	09/27/2017		238220	Commonwealth Fire Protection Company, Inc.

Abstract: At 10:30 a.m. on September 25, 2017, Employee #1 and Coworkers #1 and #2, employed by a fire protection services company, were working at a multiemployer construction site. They were installing underground piping for supplying sprinkler system water. Employee #1 and Coworker #1 were working in a trench that measured 4 feet wide, approximately 40 feet long, and less than 5 feet deep. The ductile iron pipe they were installing measured 19 feet long and 10 inches in diameter. Employee #1 and Coworker #1 stood at the ends of the pipe to help guide its centering in the trench. However, due to its weight, they could not lift the pipe to center it. Coworker #2, operating an excavator, lifted the pipe after attaching it to the excavator with a synthetic web sling. As the pipe rose, it began to swing laterally, and one end struck Employee #1's left leg, pinching the leg against an existing concrete storm sewer pipe that ran perpendicularly across the trench. Emergency services were called, and Employee #1 was transported to the hospital. He was admitted and treated for crushing and blunt force trauma injuries, including a compound fracture to the leg that required multiple surgeries.

Keywords: Caught In, Construction, Crushing, Excavation, Fracture, Leg, Material Handling, Struck By, Trench, Water Pipe

Accident Details
End Use		Project Type		Project Cost	Stories	Non-building Height	Fatality
Other heavy construction		New project or new addition			0	0

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Age	Sex	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation	Construction
1	1266437.015	59	M	Hospitalized injury		Pipelayer	Distance of Fall: feet Worker Height Above Ground/Floor: feet Cause: Installing underground plumbing conduit Fatality Cause:

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