Inspection Detail

Inspection: 120025549 - W.G. Thompson Painting Co.

Inspection Information - Office: San Francisco District Office

Investigation Summary

On November 6, 1996, Employee #1, of a painting contractor (W.G. Thompson, Inc.) was painting from the third tier of a scaffold, approximately 21 ft above the ground. The scaffold truck accidentally hooked onto the scaffold, pulling it away from the building. Employee #1 jumped to the second tier, but the boards gave way and he fell to the ground, striking his lower back and tailbone. He was transported to San Francisco General Hospital, where he was treated and released. The company that erected the scaffold, The Scaffold Works, was interviewed about the accident. The foreman who was driving the scaffold truck that pulled down the unit confirmed the accuracy of Employee #1's description. The scaffold erection company had a valid permit to erect scaffold structures, and it had notified the San Francisco CAL/OSHA District Office that the structure was being erected and that it would exceed 36 ft in height. The health and safety program was complete in content and implementation.

Keywords: BOARD, COLLAPSE, CAUGHT BY, CONSTRUCTION, BACK, FALL, SCAFFOLD