Inspection Detail

Inspection: 305322398 - Mick'S Plumbing And Heating, Inc.

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

Investigation Summary

On May 2, 2002, Employee #1 was installing single-hung windows on the second floor to the back side of a single family dwelling. Employee #1 had set the window, leveled it, and had secured it with a couple of nails at the exterior base and sides. Employee #1 was nailing the rest of the upper portion of the exterior window by leaning out the lower portion of the open window and twisting his torso, stretching up to hammer the nails. Employee #1 lost his balance and fell out the lower portion of the window 16 ft, landing on his head and neck. The ground surface was compacted soil and cluttered with wood debris. When Employee #1 was found by plumbers working on the house next door, he was having trouble breathing and was numb. Employee #1 was flown to Baltimore Shock Trauma where he was admitted for approximately 30 hours and released with a concussion and contusions. Employee #1 stated that this is the usual method he used for nailing windows and other times he has sat on the window sill with his torso outside the window and stood up while someone held his belt. Employee #1 learned these procedures by watching a previous crew leader and was never taught any other way. The Employee has been employed with the company for approximately four and half months and had not completed fall protection training and certification. Fall protection equipment was not being used and there were no oral or written work rules on how the windows were to be installed.

Keywords: CONCUSSION, UNTRAINED, CARPENTER, FALL, FALL PROTECTION, WORK RULES, CONTUSION, INSTALLING, CONSTRUCTION