Inspection Detail

Inspection: 111957080 - Rmc Lonestar

Inspection Information - Office: Sacramento Mining & Tunneling District Office

Investigation Summary

ON JANUARY 30, 1992, EMPLOYEE #1 ACCOMPANIED A MECHANIC TO CONTINUE REPAIRS ON A B-E DRAGLINE. THEY ARRIVED AT THE WORKSITE AROUND 6:05 AM, PRIOR TO SUNRISE AND IN HEAVY FOG. THE EMPLOYEE PULLED UP AND PARKED ON THE OFF-SIDE OF THE DRAGLINE. THE MECHANIC PULLED UP TO THE GENERATOR/LIGHT STAND ON THE OPPOSITE (ON-SIDE) OF THE DRAGLINE. AS EMPLOYEE #1 WAS PARKING THE TRUCK, THE MECHANIC DIRECTED HIM TO OPERATE THE PETTIBONE MODEL 30 CRANE PARKED ON THE ON-SIDE AREA. THE EMPLOYEE WALKED TOWARD THE CRANE, INSTINCTIVELY FOCUSING ON THE MECHANIC'S TRUCK HEADLIGHTS AND GUIDING HIMSELF BY STAYING CLOSE TO THE DRAGLINE. HE STEPPED INTO THE SWING SHAFT PIT AND FELL APPROXIMATELY 5 1/2 TO 6 1/4 FEET, LANDING ON HIS HEELS AND FRACTURING THE L-1 VERTEBRA.

Keywords: FRACTURE, REPAIR, PIT, FALL, VERTEBRA, POOR VISIBILITY