Inspection Detail

Inspection: 126099464 - Ralphs Grocery Company - Glendale Service Center

Inspection Information - Office: Los Angeles District Office

Investigation Summary

At 4:45 a.m. on December 8, 2003, Employee #1 was working as a recently hired temporary worker. He had been with his employer for seven days. He was driving a stand-up-type Yale model number NR045CANL36TE148 Type E double-reach forklift, with serial number C829N01613X. He had received training on driving a forklift for about 2 hours at the end of his previous shift. On his first day of performing the duties to which he was to be normally assigned, he was driving the forklift on his facility's loading dock. Attempting to turn left, Employee #1 first swung his forklift to the right to gain the clearance needed to make the wide turn, sounding the horn as he drove. Realizing he would not be able to make the left turn, Employee #1 again turned the forklift to the right. He tried to apply the brake as well, but he mistakenly pressed the accelerator instead of the brake. He lost control of the forklift, which swerved toward a bollard at the end of the adjacent aisle. Employee #1's foot extended beyond the operator's compartment and became caught between the forklift and the bollard. As a result, Employee #1 sustained an open dislocation of the left first toe and lacerations to the proximal side of the left foot and left second toe. Paramedics transported Employee #1 to Glendale Memorial Hospital, where he was treated and released. On the following day, he was hospitalized and had surgery for the dislocated toe. Employee #1 stated that another forklift was behind him traveling fast and that when he attempted to make his wide left turn, the other driver tried to turn down the same aisle before he could. Employee #1 stated that the other driver bumped into his forks and pushed him, causing him to miss the aisle. This account could not be corroborated.

Keywords: COLLISION, INDUSTRIAL TRUCK, INEXPERIENCE, LACERATION, DISLOCATED, TOE, FOOT