Inspection Detail

Inspection: 1434672.015 - Tradesmen International

Inspection Information - Office: Foster City District Office

Investigation Summary

At 1:55 p.m. on September 20, 2019, an employee who worked for a temporary staffing agency was walking while talking to a Coworker #1 (a Foreman). The employee was on a job assignment at a construction site renovating a residence. The employee was under the direct supervision of the construction contractor. The employee had been on the job site for three weeks. At approximately 8:00 a.m. the employee was working at a 39-inch by 44-inch floor opening deep attaching a holder on a beam in order to frame the house. The opening was between 30-inches and 40-inches deep. At approximately 8:15 a.m. a Coworker #2 left the area without covering the floor opening to work in the next room approximately 14 feet away. In that room, Coworker #2 did not return to work near the opening. Coworker #2 stated he thought someone else would be working using the opening, but he could not say who and for what. Floor openings were being created to secure holders to beams which were being installed in order to strengthen the frame of the house which was common practice. At approximately 2:00 p.m. the employee finished his job assignment installing hangers on the ceiling. He was concerned about one of the hangers and called Coworker #1 over to see if he had to redo the hanger. The employee stated one hanger was not straight. While the employee was walking and speaking to Coworker #1 and pointing to the ceiling, he stepped right into the floor opening. Neither the employee nor Coworker #1 were watching where they were walking. Coworker #1 stated opening was created a week prior and it was common practice that openings were not covered nor attended while they were in use. Employees are expected to be aware of openings and watch out for them. From this point forward, they changed procedures to cover every floor opening. The employee fractured his lower right leg and required hospitalization.

Keywords: Construction, Fall, Fall On Same Level, Fall Protection, Floor Opening, Fracture, Framing, Installing, Lack of Work Procedures, Leg, Renovation, Residential Construction, Temporary Employment Agency, Temporary Worker, Unguarded Fl Opening, Walking Surface, Work Surface