Inspection Detail

Note: The following inspection has not been indicated as closed. OSHA citation items will be posted 30 (thirty) days after the employer receives the citation(s), except in cases of significant public interest. Posted citation items reflect any amendments to citations that are the result of a prompt settlement, which OSHA encourages. Employers and employee representatives will continue to receive copies of the citation(s) upon issuance.

Inspection: 1539377.015 - California Parasail

Inspection Information - Office: Santa Ana District Office

Investigation Summary

At 12:04 p.m. on May 31, 2021, an employee working as a deckhand for a recreational service provider was providing flights, which is the term used for parasailing excursions, to customers. The crew works from the boat or a small kiosk where customers make appointments to procure a flight. The employee was assisting a coworker who served as the captain of the vessel. The crew completed their daily safety checks and reviews. Upon returning from a flight, the coworker pulled into the docking location. The employee then began docking procedures by stepping on the dock and tying the vessel to the dock tie-off cleat. The employee had experience and training in docking procedures. While tying down the boat line to the cleat on the dock, the employee caught his hand between the line and the cleat. He did manage to clear his fingers in time before tension was applied to the line. The employee was hospitalized to treat an amputated fifth digit and abrasions on his right hand. He was transferred to UCI for emergency replantation surgery.

Keywords: Abrasion, Amputated, Amputation, Amusement Ride, Boat, Caught Between, Caught In, Dock, Dock Worker, Finger, Hand, Instantaneous amputation, Material Handling, Misjudgment, Misjudgment of Hazardous Situation, Pinch Point, Pinched, Rope, Tension, Tie-Off, Traumatic Amputation, Water