Inspection Detail

Inspection: 100093541 - Accurate Coring

Inspection Information - Office: Chicago North Area Office

Investigation Summary

ON JANUARY 7, 1987, AT APPROXIMATELY 2 PM, EMPLOYEE #1 WAS CUTTING A CONCRETE WALL WHICH WAS ABOUT 18 INCHES THICK, USING A LONGYEAR MODEL 360 CONCRETE SAW. THE SAW WAS WALL-TRACK MOUNTED, USING HILT WALL ANCHORS. ONE OF THE ANCHORS WAS NOT PROPERLY INSERTED INTO THE WALL (IT PROTRUDED APPROXIMATELY 1/2 INCH FROM THE WALL SURFACE). BEFORE THE ATTACHMENT BOLT WAS INSERTED THROUGH THE SAW'S MOUNTING BRACKET, THREE FLAT WASHERS AND ONE LOCK WASHER HAD BEEN PLACED BENEATH THE BOLT'S HEAD. THIS 1 3/8 INCH BOLT DID NOT ENTER THE WALL. IT WAS SUPPORTED ONLY BY THE PORTION OF THE ANCHOR THAT PROTRUDED FROM THE WALL. ON THE FOURTH CUT, WHEN A 42 INCH DIAMETER BLADE WAS USED FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE WALL ANCHOR BROKE OFF AT TH WALL'S SURFACE. THE UNSECURED SAW BECAME AIRBORNE, STRIKING EMPLOYEE #1'S RIGHT ANKLE AND AMPUTATING HIS FOOT.

Keywords: AMPUTATED, CONSTRUCTION, SAW, STRUCK BY, CONCRETE, ANKLE, FOOT