Inspection Detail

Inspection: 120268263 - Pacific Western Electric

Inspection Information - Office: San Diego District Office

Investigation Summary

Employee #1, of Pacific Western Electric, was working about 12 ft high on a 2,500 lb Skyjack 3219 scissor lift, #106397, self-propelled mobile elevating work platform, 500 lb weight capacity, 19 ft maximum height, rented from U.S. Rentals. While waiting for other crew members to return from the supply trailer, he finished pulling wires through an electric conduit and was about to change position to install junction box covers. As he drove the scissor lift forward, he did not see a hole in front of him, nor had he noticed any holes that morning. He felt the lift begin to tilt to the right, which sometimes happened, so he assumed the scissor lift would right itself. Employee #1 knew something was wrong, however, when the lift continued to tilt. He grabbed the metal handrails to ride it down and tried to jump just before it hit the ground. When he landed, he struck his right elbow against the concrete. He lay there for about 10 minutes until the rest of the crew arrived to help. Paramedics were called and Employee #1 was transported to Sharp Hospital, San Diego, CA, where he was admitted for treatment of a fractured right hip with pinning, a fractured right pelvis, and bruised lungs. He was hospitalized for one week with a long period of rehabilitation expected.

Keywords: FRACTURE, WORK RULES, EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, CONSTRUCTION, PELVIS, FALL, FLOOR OPENING, ELEVATED WORK PLAT, AERIAL LIFT, OVERTURN