Inspection Detail

Inspection: 111968830 - Frank R Close & Son Inc Dba Close Lumber

Inspection Information - Office: Redding District Office

Investigation Summary

At 4:05 p.m. on February 23, 1995, Employee #1, whose employer operates a building materials resale business, was stacking newly arrived stock of lumber (2 by 8 stock, 18 to 20 ft long) using a Hyster 80XL, 8,000 lb forklift on a wet, muddy driving surface. Employee #1, working alone, was attempting to stack a third tier when he noticed that two 2 by 4s stacked stickers were directly under his left fork. He attempted to side shift the fork but there was not enough adjustment. He then tried to back away but the ruts were getting deeper. He stopped a short distance away from the stack, locked the emergency brake, and turned off the engine. He then stood up and reached from the left edge of the fork lift with his right hand to adjust the 2 by 4s. The forklift rolled or slid forward into the deeper ruts, causing the load to come down and pinch his right index finger, amputating it at the first joint.

Keywords: IND TRK OPERATOR, FINGER, PINNED, WORK RULES, LOAD SHIFT, INDUSTRIAL TRUCK, SLIPPERY SURFACE, UNSTABLE SOIL, UNSTABLE POSITION