Inspection Detail

Inspection: 120255211 - Berger Brothers, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Monrovia District Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 6:00 a.m. on January 12, 1998, Employee #1, a new hire whose safety training and orientation papers had just been signed, was told by his foreman to use a scissor lift and install drywall on the third floor. At approximately 8:34 a.m., Employee #1 began to have trouble installing the drywall at the uppermost level. When asked, the foreman said he could stand on the top rail of the scissor lift. Employee #1 also asked coworkers for help and was told to place his screw gun on the conduit and to stand on the railing to gain height. Employee #1 got on the rail and was reaching for the screw gun when he lost his balance and fell approximately 10 ft to the floor. He sustained injuries to his back and right knee, but was not hospitalized. Upon investigation, the employer was cited for the following violations: T8CCR 341.1(a), for failure to obtain a permit for the construction of a building over 36 ft high; T8CCR 1512(i), for failure to have a written emergency medical plan; T8CCR 1637(h), for defective planks and lumber used on third and fourth level scaffolds; T8CCR 1510(a), for failure to provide a new employee with specific instructions regarding the hazards and safety precautions applicable to the scissor lift, or directing him to read the code of safe practices; and T8CCR 1670(a), for failure to provide and require the used of an approved safety belt and lanyard. This last was specified as the cause of Employee #1's injuries.

Keywords: KNEE, WORK RULES, CONSTRUCTION, BACK, FALL, FALL PROTECTION, ELEVATED WORK PLAT, LOST BALANCE, AERIAL LIFT, UNSTABLE POSITION