Inspection Detail

Inspection: 120319413 - Burbank Pool Supply

Inspection Information - Office: Van Nuys District Office

Investigation Summary

On May 25, 2004, Employee #1 was instructed by his supervisor to assist him and another employee in lifting an 850 pound trailer to a vertical position. The trailer was located outside in the back of the store. Employee #1 and another employee first tried to lift the trailer up by hand and were only able to lift it a few inches. Their supervisor came out and suggested that the three of them try to lift the trailer up vertically to lean it against the enclosed truck that was parked next to it. They lifted the trailer and got it up about four feet when the supervisor stopped and said it was too heavy. The supervisor then called his girlfriend and told her to bring a rope. She arrived shortly with a rope. The supervisor tied the rope to the trailer hitch and then asked one of the employees to go inside the store and get another rope. When he returned with the rope, the supervisor tied the other rope to the trailer hitch and threw both ropes up and over the top of the truck. He then went around to the other side of the truck, where his girlfriend had parked the van. He tied the two ropes to the bumper hitch of the van. He told his girlfriend to move forward slowly, which she did. The supervisor positioned himself on one corner of the trailer and the other employee was positioned on the other corner, with Employee #1 located in the middle, slightly under the trailer. The three of them began lifting the trailer as the driver in the van moved forward slowly. After the trailer was raised about 8 to 10 feet high, the rope snapped about 12 inches above the van's bumper hitch, which allowed the trailer to fall backwards. The supervisor and the other employee at each corner were able to get out of the way. However, Employee #1, who was located in the middle, was knocked to the ground and the trailer fell over him. He was not crushed because of the wheels and the trailer stand, which did not allow the trailer to touch him. However, his right hand was caught by the trailer stand and crushed. Employee #1's left ankle was fractured when he fell, because his body fell in a twisted position. He also received a large gash on the left side of his head. The paramedics were called and he was taken to the L.A. County USC Medical Center, where he was treated in the emergency area. They put staples in his head and put a brace on his left ankle. His hand was not treated. Employee #1's sister-in-law arranged to have him transferred to Kaiser Hospital in Hollywood on the second day. He was transferred by ambulance and was hospitalized for four days. He had surgery on his right hand, resulting in the amputation of the ring finger below the first joint. He also had surgery on the left ankle and had a plate and three screws inserted. Employee #1 required subsequent surgery on his hand and ankle as an out-patient a few months later.

Keywords: FRACTURE, AMPUTATED, FINGER, CRUSHED, LACERATION, STRUCK BY, TRAILER, HAND, ANKLE, LEG