Inspection Detail

Inspection: 310824917 - C T Lewis Inc Dba Lewis Roofing Co

Inspection Information - Office: Fresno District Office

Investigation Summary

On November 5, 2007, Employee #1 was inspecting a roofing project at the Southern California Edison Substation (SCES) in Lindsay, CA, in preparation for submitting a bid on the project. After examining the roof, he, a coworker, and an SCES employee were descending the stairs from the second floor. The SCES worker reminded them to be careful on the stairs. Employee #1 was beginning to respond when he suddenly stopped speaking and fell forward, striking his head against a wall at the intermediate landing. He sustained a concussion, resulting in a subdural hematoma that required surgical treatment. The stairs were 44 in. wide with a 35 in. high stair rail, and were apparently in good repair and without any structural defects. The rise/run was 7 in./10 in., and the distance from the second story to the intermediate landing was 10 ft 4 in. The stair construction and condition met regulatory standards; the natural lighting was marginally adequate. A root cause for this accident was not determined. A contributing factor may have been Employee #1's spatial misjudgment; he wore bifocal lenses and this corrective eyewear may have resulted in poor visual acuity.

Keywords: BLOOD CLOT, HEAD, STAIR, CONSTRUCTION, DESCENDING, TRIPPED, FALL, CONCUSSION, LOST BALANCE