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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 1596615.015 - Palomar Community College District
Inspection Information - Office: San Diego District Office
Site Address:
Palomar Community College District
1140 W Mission Road
San Marcos, CA 92069
Mailing Address:
1140 W Mission Road, San Marcos, CA 92069
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:
NAICS: 611310/ Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: LocalGovt
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 06/21/2022
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 08/24/2022
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 1853542 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Current Violations | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Initial Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $5,000 | $0 | $5,000 |
| Current Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $5,000 | $0 | $5,000 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001 | Other | 342(A) | 06/21/2022 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $0 | Z - Issued |
Investigation Summary
At 10:00 a.m. on September 22, 2021, an employee working as a groundskeeper for a community college district was operating a woodchipper. The employee and a coworker were using the chipper to mulch branches and other debris at the site. The operation came to a stop when the chute got clogged. The employee stopped the machine. He then obtained some tools and removed the bolts holding the chute in place. As the employee was working on the machine, the chute started to detach from the chipper. The employee noticed that it was falling off and so he tried to hold it with his hand. That was when he realized that the chute was too heavy and he let it go. At that moment, the employee lost his balance and fell nearly 3 feet from the machine. The employee was hospitalized to treat multiple fractures from impact with the ground.
Keywords: Blunt force, Blunt force trauma, Brush Chipper, Chipper, Chipping, Chute, Clearing, Clogged, Fall, Fall From Elevation, Fracture, Ground, Ground Crew Worker, Groundskeeper, Landscaper, Landscaping, Lost Balance, Maintenance, Wood Chipper
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1596615.015 | 46 | M | Hospitalized injury | Groundskeepers and gardeners, except farm |