Inspection Detail

Inspection: 125490557 - Engel Holding, Inc. Dba Cabrillo Hoist

Inspection Information - Office: San Francisco District Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 9:00 a.m. on April 4, 2006, Employee #1, a mechanic technician, was removing a neutral safety hoist switch off the hydraulic line of a construction personnel hoist. The car was in neutral and deenergized. To gain greater access to the switch, Employee #1 climbed over the guard rails of the hoist without fall protection or a harness and lanyard, which were in his truck. He walked to an unprotected side of the canopy without fall protection to place a finger joint with dimensions of 2 in. by 4 in. from the canopy to the hoist tower. This provided access to the switch. He detached the switch and fed it beneath the steel hydraulic drain tube. He pushed up from a crouching position, transferring his 220 pounds weight from the left foot on the canopy to the right foot on the finger joint. The finger joint failed. The employee lost his balance and fell approximately 12 ft, fracturing both legs. He was transported to a medical center. At the hospital, he underwent surgical procedures to repair the leg fractures. After undergoing the surgical procedures, he was hospitalized for postoperative treatment.

Keywords: FRACTURE, HOISTING MECHANISM, MECHANIC, HOIST, FALL, FALL PROTECTION, LOST BALANCE, TOWER, LEG