Inspection Detail

Inspection: 306360975 - Garrett Construction

Inspection Information - Office: Fresno District Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 8:00 a.m. on December 10, 2005, Employees #1 and #2 were operating heavy equipment for Garrett Construction. They were moving earth at a construction site. The employer had established a traffic pattern and Employee #2 had made a complete run earlier that morning, demonstrating that he knew the traffic pattern. Employee #1 was operating the 623E scraper and Employee #2 was operating the 631E scraper. Employee #1 had picked up a load, and accelerated out of the pit. When he reached the top grade, he encountered Employee #2, who was not driving within the established traffic pattern. Employee #1 immediately dropped the bucket of his scraper to reduce his speed on impact. Both employees were injured when the scrapers collided. Both employees lost consciousness. Employee #1 was hospitalized at UMC in Fresno, for severe head trauma. Employee #2 hospitalized at Kaiser Hospital, for unspecified injuries.

Keywords: EXCAVATION, UNCONSCIOUSNESS, SCRAPER, SPEEDING, WORK RULES, EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, COLLISION, INATTENTION