Inspection Detail

Inspection: 307167684 - Triplett Painting

Inspection Information - Office: Long Beach District Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 11:30 a.m. on February 15, 2006, Employee #1, a painter and all around clean-up laborer, was assigned to paint an interior wall that was located above the emergency corridor exit. The corridor exit was adjacent to the east wall of the warehouse, and was built so that it formed an interior mezzanine that measures 4 ft by 8 ft above the cement floor. The mezzanine floor was constructed with 62.5-in gypsum board to cover the 2-ft by 4-ft framework. Employee #1 was standing on top of the mezzanine above the corridor, using it as a work platform to paint the east wall above the corridor exit. Employee #1 said that his supervisor instructed him to be careful, and to make sure that he stepped on the metal screws that secured the gypsum board, because it would be ensured that he was standing on the portion of the gypsum board that was supported by the 2-ft by 4-ft framework. Employee #1 was painting, when he accidentally stepped on the portion of the gypsum board that was not supported by the 2-ft by 4-ft framework. Employee #1's foot penetrated through the .625-in. gypsum board. Employee #1 tried to pull his foot out of the gypsum board and lost his balance and fell 8 ft to the cement floor below. Employee #1 broke his ankles. Employee #1 was standing approximately 6 in to 10 in from the edge of the mezzanine. Employee #1 was taken to the hospital, where he was hospitalized and treated for his injuries.

Keywords: BOARD, FRACTURE, PAINT, FALL, LOST BALANCE, PAINTER, WORK PLATFORM, ANKLE, FOOT