Inspection Detail

Inspection: 101059327 - Lakeside Bridge & Steel Company

Inspection Information - Office: Milwaukee Area Office

Investigation Summary

ON FEBRUARY 6, 1986, EMPLOYEE #1 WAS STANDING ON THE SIDE OF A 110 FOOT LONG (FROM FLANGE TO FLANGE) GIRDER. THE GIRDER'S WEB WAS 8 FEET WIDE AND CONSISTED OF STEEL THAT WAS 1/2 TO 3/4 INCH THICK. THE GIRDER WAS LYING FLAT ON THE FLOOR, ON TOP OF 4 INCH X 4 INCH WOODEN BLOCKS. THE GIRDER WAS APPROXIMATELY 16 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR. AS EMPLOYEE #1 STEPPED OFF THE EDGE OF THE FLANGE ONTO THE SHOP'S FLOOR, HIS FOOT STRUCK A 4 INCH X 4 INCH BLOCK. HE LOST HIS BALANCE AND FELL, STRIKING HIS UPPER BACK AGAINST ANOTHER 4 INCH X 4 INCH BLOCK. HE WAS ABLE TO WALK AWAY, AND WAS NOT AWARE OF BEING HURT UNTIL LATER THAT EVENING WHEN HE EXPERIENCED CONSTANT PAIN. HE WAS TAKEN TO A CLINIC FOR X-RAYS AND RELEASED. IT WASN'T UNTIL A FEW DAYS LATER, AT ANOTHER HOSPITAL, THAT X-RAYS SHOWED THAT HE HAD SUFFERED BROKEN RIBS! HAD THE FIRST X-RAYS BEEN READ CORRECTLY, THE EMPLOYEE WOULD HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TREATED INSTEAD OF BEING RELEASED. HE DEVELOPED PNEUMONIA DURING HIS STAY AT THE SECOND HOSPITAL, AND WITH HIS OVERALL POOR CONDITION TO BEGIN WITH (3 PREVIOUS HEART ATTACKS), HE DID NOT SURVIVE.

Keywords: FRACTURE, BACK, RIB, FALL, LOST BALANCE