Inspection Detail

Inspection: 306922022 - Hutchins Construction Inc

Inspection Information - Office: Nc Department Of Labor - Raleigh

Investigation Summary

At approximately 11:45 a.m. on September 11, 2003, Employee #1 and a coworker were using a 1989 Dodge Dakota, 1/4 ton truck owned by the coworker to move 30 sheets of 12 ft long by 38 in. wide aluminum paneling, each of which weighed 36 lb. They loaded the paneling on top of ladders on the truck, for a total weight of 1,080 lb. As the truck moved slowly from a loading point on the southern side of the work site toward an unloading area, Employee #1 followed behind the truck on foot. As they neared the final destination at the northwest corner of the site, he apparently came alongside the vehicle. The truck was traveling down a small, slightly angled slope when the paneling shifted to the right. Employee #1 tried to stop the panels but they continued to slide, striking his head and upper body. Employee #1 fell and became pinned under the load. The coworker stopped the truck, saw Employee #1 trapped under the panels, and told a witness to call 911 before starting first aid to control the bleeding and open Employee #1's airway. Employee #1 was transported by ambulance to the hospital, where he died. The load was not secured in the truck.

Keywords: HEAD, UNSECURED, WORK RULES, LOAD SHIFT, PICKUP TRUCK, PINNED, CONSTRUCTION, STRUCK BY, FALLING OBJECT, UNSTABLE LOAD