Inspection Detail

Inspection: 120243175 - Herron Construction Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Santa Ana District Office

Investigation Summary

On October 22, 2004, two carpenters, employed by Herron Construction, Inc., were framing a building within a shopping mall that was undergoing renovations. Employee #1 was working with Employee #2 on top of the roof at a height of 22 feet, installing roof drains. Employee #1 asked Employee #2 to hook up his lifeline assembly to his harness. Employee #1 was using a universal Fit Harness (Guardian) Manufactured April 2004, model 01100, serial number 20988, and a Vertical Lifeline Assembly with positioning device, shock absorber, and connecting lanyard (Guardian, manufactured April 2004, model VLA, 50 feet length, serial number 01611). Employee #1 was working around a 46-inch by 86-inch hole in the northwest corner of building 11. The anchor point was approximately 10 feet from Employee #1. Employee #2 was waiting for Employee #1 to nail the joist on, and then Employee #2 was going to put the hangers on the joists. Employee #1 lost his footing and fell approximately 15 feet. Employee #2 was not close enough to prevent Employee #1 from falling. Employee #1 hit a scissor lift (Manufactured by Upright, MX19, equipment 27051) that was located beneath where he was working. Because the orientation of the lifeline assembly was opposite than designed, the rope grab did not stop the fall for Employee #1. Employee #1 sustained a compound fracture to his left foreman due to the fall. He was hospitalized for the injury.

Keywords: FRACTURE, ROOF, CARPENTER, CONSTRUCTION, LANYARD, FALL, FALL PROTECTION, ARM, AERIAL LIFT