Inspection Detail

Inspection: 311153621 - American Airlines

Inspection Information - Office: Fremont District Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 11:30 p.m. on May 30, 2007, an employee was working as a fleet service clerk operating a conveyor belt loader. The conveyor belt loader loaded or unloaded luggage to airplanes. The employee positioned the belt loader to the cargo compartment. He then proceeded up the belt loader to open the cargo door, when he reached the top; he leaned forward with his left hand toward the door handle, but lost his balance. When he tried to regain it back by placing his left hand back on the loader, he misjudged the width of the belt loader and his hand missed, causing him to fall over the left side of the loader. The employee fell off belt loader Number 18917 and fractured six ribs and left ankle. He fell approximately 5.5 feet off the left side of the loader to the ground floor. Paramedics were called and treated him on the ramp. The employee was then taken by ambulance to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, where he was diagnosed with six fractured ribs. On May 31, 2007, the medical center was planning to release the employee, when they discovered that the employee's left foot and ankle had also been broken in the fall. The employee was kept over night, and surgery was scheduled to insert two pins to stabilize his foot. Additional test and scans were also be done to make sure no other issues are missed.

Keywords: FRACTURE, RIB, FALL, LOADER, CONVEYOR BELT, LOST BALANCE, WORK SURFACE, ANKLE, FOOT