Inspection Detail

Inspection: 110069002 - Heaton Erecting, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Atlanta West Area Office

Investigation Summary

Employee #1, a crane operator, placed a 15,000 lb, 9 ft long by 5 ft diameter vessel onto a flatbed trailer truck. The driver removed the rigging from the vessel as Employee #1 directed. Employee #1 swung the boom and the rigging away and lowered the hook to remove the rigging. The truck driver exited the flatbed to get the chains and secure the vessel. The chains, however, were locked in a tool box and the keys had been lost. The truck driver and the employer decided to cut off the lock with a torch. While a torch was being retrieved and set up, Employee #1 exited the crane and began to gather up the sling approximately 5 1/2 ft from the edge of the flatbed. The vessel rolled off the flatbed, struck Employee #1, and crushed him to death.

Keywords: UNSECURED, CRUSHED, TRUCK, STRUCK BY, FLATBED TRUCK