Inspection Detail

Inspection: 120101167 - Link-Nilsen, Corp.

Inspection Information - Office: Van Nuys Mining & Tunneling District Office

Investigation Summary

Employee #1 and a coworker were installing a 10 ft 6 in. long by 4 in inner diameter by 1/4 in. thick piece of pipe. It had a 90 degree elbow attached that included two rubber gaskets and two two-piece, bolt-on, metal sealing ring/clamps. The two workers lifted the section of pipe onto their left shoulders. They moved up their respective 8 ft stepladders in unison, bringing the open point of the elbow to the open end of the previously installed pipe. The pipe was lipped into the hanger. While Employee #1 was tightening the ring/clamp, his coworker descended his ladder to do other work. Employee #1 was at a height of approximately 4 1/2 ft on his properly placed stepladder, when he heard something pop. The noise was the pipe slipping out of its hanger. It struck Employee #1 hard on the back of his left shoulder and he fell, with his face and head down. In an attempt to protect himself, he extended his hands and arms, sustaining severe fractures to both wrists and forearms. The wrist injuries required extensive surgical repair. Employee #1's head also struck the concrete floor. He was observed closely during his hospitalization, but no further complications were reported.

Keywords: FRACTURE, INSTALLING, UNSECURED, STEPLADDER, CONSTRUCTION, FALL, STRUCK BY, FALLING OBJECT, WRIST