Inspection Detail

Inspection: 116486515 - Temple-Inland Hope Particleboard Operation

Inspection Information - Office: Little Rock Area Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 9:30 p.m. on February 26, 1998, Employees #1 through #3 were working atop a 35,000 lb, 9 ft wide by 25 ft long loader cage platform approximately 35 ft from the floor, trying to manually lower and level the cage. Employees #1 and #2 were using a 40 lb, 48 in. long pipe wrench that was positioned and secured on the coupling between the motor and gear reducer box. Employee #3 was on the opposite side using a 20 lb, 36 in. long pipe wrench that was also attached to the coupling. After Employees #1 through #3 secured their pipe wrenches, a coworker would release the brake and Employees #1 through #3 would apply force on the coupling to resist the weight of the loader until the cage was lowered and positioned. The process was then repeated. As they were holding their pipe wrenches on the coupling, the momentum of the coupling drastically increased and the 48 in. pipe wrench that Employees #1 and #2 were using slipped and flew off the coupling, striking all three workers. Employee #1 sustained neck and head trauma injuries and was killed. Employee #2 sustained nose and face injuries, and Employee #3 sustained rib fractures; both were treated at a local hospital and released.

Keywords: FRACTURE, HEAD, UNSECURED, PIPE WRENCH, SLIP, NECK, STRUCK BY, FLYING OBJECT, HAND TOOL, FACE