Inspection Detail

Inspection: 120274386 - Thompson Rose Co

Inspection Information - Office: San Diego District Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 1:30 p.m. on November 23, 1999, Employee #1 sustained a fractured spine after falling from a roof. The employee worked for a company constructing a large greenhouse complex on a former 10-acre tomato farm. According to the employer, Employee #1 was inside the sky jack helping another employee, working at the top of the roof trusses, lay a roll of plastic to cover the greenhouse. Employee #1 stepped up on the rain-gutter to pull the plastic when he fell backward approximately 11 ft 6 in. landing on his back. The employee was transported to Palomar Hospital, where he was hospitalized for more than 10 days, paralyzed from the waist down with a crushed spine. The employee had 15 years experience and received training, but was not wearing a safety belt at the time of the accident.

Keywords: PARALYSIS, SPINE, WORK RULES, SAFETY BELT, CONSTRUCTION, FALL, FALL PROTECTION, WORK SURFACE, INATTENTION