Inspection Detail

Inspection: 302882139 - Triangle Sign And Service, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Department Of Labor, Licensing, And Regulation Division Of Labor And Industry Maryland Occupational Safety And Health

Investigation Summary

Employee #1 was using a 1997 aerial lift and extensible boom, serial # 635397, mounted on a 1998 Ford truck, MD plate #203-E36, USDOT 326485, to remove old letters and install new ones on a 13 ft high non-illuminated sign. He elevated his platform to a height of 8 ft and was directly above a stairway system, drilling holes in the sign, when the boom partially failed at its attachment point. Two long bolts and the hydraulic hoses were left intact and prevented the complete displacement of the lift platform. Employee #1, who was using a harness and lanyard attachment, fell onto the guardrail system of the stairway and suffered contusions and other injuries to his torso, for which he was hospitalized. The company had an inspection program for this equipment, consisting of daily visual inspections as well as monthly comprehensive inspections. Visual inspections would not have revealed the fracture that occurred to the 5/16 in. thick steel attachment ears at the boom's end, where attachments are seated before being bolted in place. The company had never removed this lift attachment, and the crack was found to have oxidized significantly. The aerial lift had a bracket that fit over the ears of the boom tip, which covered the rust. When the ears failed, the only points securing the boom to the lift were two, 2 in. long by 1/2 in. diameter bolts, and the hydraulic hoses. The equipment had been used for less than 2,000 hours of service.

Keywords: BOOM, CONSTRUCTION, TORSO, EQUIPMENT FAILURE, FALL, TRUCK BOOM, AERIAL LIFT, CONTUSION