Inspection Detail

Inspection: 1502191.015 - East Bay Municipal Utility District

Inspection Information - Office: Oakland District Office

Investigation Summary

At 1:19 p.m. on November 4, 2020, an employee was working for a city's water utility. The utility operated water treatment plants and water supply systems and installed, maintained, and repaired water distribution mains throughout area. In this incident, the utility was installing a new water distribution main and transferring service from the new water main to residences. The employee was a heavy transport operator. He operated excavating and loading machines. He was sitting in his dump truck, with serial number 8050, waiting for new tasks when he needed to use the restroom. He left his dump truck, walked a few houses down the street, and went into a portable toilet. The portable toilet was adjacent to an open excavation, which was approximately 3 to 4 feet (0.9 to 1.2 meters) in depth and marked with cones and A-frame signs. Leaving the portable toilet after he was done, he fell into the open excavation just adjacent to the portable toilet. He lay in the open excavation and called for help. The supervisor and crew called emergency medical services. EMS transported the employee to a medical center. He was hospitalized and treated for his injuries. He had suffered a broken left ankle and a broken right wrist. He had surgery on his left ankle and right wrist to attach plates and screws to his bone. The Division was notified by the employer's manager of workplace health and safety at approximately 10:19 p.m. that same day, and by the fire department at approximately 1:19 p.m. The notifications complied with reporting requirements. The Division arrived and initiated an opening conference with the employer at the site at approximately 9:13 a.m. on November 11, 2020. After an inspection and an investigation, the Division found no violations. The employee was aware of the open excavation when he went in to use the restroom and stated during interviews that he had a lack of attention. Additionally, the employer had delineated the excavation with cones and A-frame signage.

Keywords: Ankle, Broken Bone, Construction, Equipment Operator, Excavation, Fall, Fall From Elevation, Fracture, Inattention, Marking, Perimeter Guarding, Utility, Walking Surface, Warning Sign, Water, Wrist