Inspection Detail

Inspection: 1229599.015 - Murray Plumbing And Heating Corporation

Inspection Information - Office: San Bernardino District Office

Investigation Summary

At 7:45 a.m. on April 17, 2017, Employee #1 and Coworkers #1 and #2, employed by a plumbing and heating company, were leaving the construction site for a new hospital at the end of their shift. Coworker #3, an excavator operator, was working outdoors. Employee #1 and Coworkers #1 and #2 left the building and walked along an un-delineated dirt and gravel path toward an adjacent parking structure. A Bobcat excavator, PT6E93, E45 *B2VY12385*, 10502602, operated by Coworker #3, was positioned next to the parking structure. As Employee #1 and Coworkers #1 and #2 passed the excavator, Employee #1 tripped over some pebbles, fell forward, and struck his head on the bucket of the excavator. His left eye made contact with the rock tooth (fork) mounted on the corner of the bucket. Emergency services were called, and Employee #1 was transported to the hospital. He was admitted and treated for a puncture wound that destroyed his left eye. He subsequently was transferred to another hospital for advanced treatment, including a surgical procedure for placing a prosthetic eye in the eye socket. During the subsequent investigation, it was determined that no barriers were in place to restrict access to the excavation area.

Keywords: Construction, Construction vehicle, Excavator, Eye, Fall, Installing, Loader Bucket, Struck Against, Tripped, Water Pipe