Inspection Detail

Inspection: 300760576 - Brand Scaffold Rental & Erection Inc

Inspection Information - Office: Long Beach District Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 2:35 p.m. on October 9, 2000, Employee #1 and several other workers were working for a scaffolding erection company. A new worker of the scaffolding contractor, who had no crane signaling experience, was used to instruct the crane operator in how to place the load. Communication was by radio as it was a blind lift for the crane operator. The desired destination for the basket was restricted by overhead structural members. The wind was blowing enough to prevent access to the load's tag line. Rigging of the load was done by the scaffolding company and they were using a company owned basket, suspended by synthetic slings, to move 3 ft long scaffolding members up to a deck. The basket was open on the top and the members were not secured to the basket. The scaffolding contractor had not cleared employees from the area under the suspended basket. One corner of the suspended basket became hung up on an overhead obstruction. The basket tipped and the scaffolding members crashed down on the employees below. Employee #1 suffered a fractured right wrist and hand and was hospitalized.

Keywords: FRACTURE, OBSTRUCTED VIEW, STRUCK AGAINST, SUSPENDED LOAD, CRUSHED, SLING, CRANE OPERATOR, HAND, CRANE, WRIST