Inspection Detail

Inspection: 309295731 - Crane Rental Service

Inspection Information - Office: Santa Ana District Office

Investigation Summary

On November 2, 2006, Employees #1 and #2 worked for Crane Rental Service, a company that rented mobile cranes and crews to a variety of job sites. On the day of the accident, Employee #1, a crane oiler and Employee #2, a crane operator were using a crane to move building materials into a construction area, from a delivery truck. Employees #1 and #2 had the task of moving a 10 ft by 8 ft mock-up of a residential wall from the middle of the site to the corner of the site. Employee #2 directed laborers employed by the general contractor in rigging the mock-up. Employees #1 and #2 were standing beside the mock-up, inspecting the rigging and discussing the move with the general contractor's superintendent, when the superintendent instructed the laborers to cut the supports away from the mock-up in preparation for the move. Once released from its supports, the wall fell over onto Employee #1, who was standing closest to it. Employee #2 used the crane to lift the wall off Employee #1. Employee #1 suffered major spinal injuries, and Employee #2, suffered back and knee injuries. Both were airlifted to a nearby hospital trauma unit for medical attention.

Keywords: KNEE, STRUCTURE MOVING, FRACTURE, WALL, SPINE, BACK, MECH MAT HANDLING, STRUCK BY, FALLING OBJECT, CRANE